International Conference and Exhibition on Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery May 29-31, 2017 Osaka, Japan

Biography:

Vishwanatha is a Regents Professor and Vice President for Diversity and International Programs, and Director of the Texas Center for Health Disparities at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.  He is a principal investigator of the National Research Mentoring Network, a NIH Common Fund initiative to provide mentorship, networking and professional development for a diversified biomedical and behavioral workforce. Vishwanatha received his Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of South Carolina in 1983.Vishwanatha’s research is in cancer molecular biology, experimental therapeutics and nanotechnology.  His laboratory is investigating genetic markers that predict development of aggressive prostate and breast cancers, and nanotechnology-based therapies for breast and prostate cancers. Vishwanatha is actively involved in mentorship and networking programs to diversify the biomedical research workforce, and has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students from under represented groups in biomedical sciences.  As the director of the Texas Center for Minority Health, Education, Research and Outreach (Texas Center for Health Disparities), a Center of Excellence funded by the National institutes of Health, he has directed health disparity research, education and community outreach programs.  For the past 11 years, he has organized the annual Texas Conference on Health Disparities that attract national speakers and participants.    He serves on the external advisory committees for University of Puerto Rico-Cayey, PR; St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas; Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama; and Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia.  

Abstract:

Purpose The most common site of metastatic prostate cancer is the bone. These metastatic lesions are difficult to treat and often result in off target cytotoxicity from current chemotherapeutics. We hypothesize that targeted nanoparticles (NPs) designed to deliver chemotherapeutics to cancer lesions in the bone microenvironment could improve treatment and the side effect profile that results from non-discriminate action of cytotoxic agents.

We have designed a novel targeted nanotherapeutic system to target the bone microenvironment in an effort to more efficiently deliver chemotherapeutics to the site of metastasis. The core of the NPs are composed of poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) biodegradable polymer. The PLGA NPs have been loaded with the microtubule inhibitor, cabazitaxel. The surface of the NP has been conjugated with an amino-bisphosphonate through a BS3 (bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate) linker system, which allows for high affinity binding to the hydroxyapatite structure of the bone.

Materials & Methods: NPs were formulated using a modified water-in oil-in-water double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The physiochemical properties of the NPs were characterized. Ex vivo bone binding studies were performed. Cytotoxicity was tested in C4-2B and PC3 cell lines as well as in 3D tumor spheroids. Finally, NPs were tested for efficacy in an intraosseous tumor model of metastatic prostate cancer in athymic nude male mice.

Results: NPs were made with favorable physiochemical characteristics: mean hydrodynamic diameter of 236.8 nm ± S.D. 1.19 and mean polydispersity of 0.121 ± SEM 0.003. Cellular cytoxicity assay showed that C4-2B cells were more sensitive to the free cabazitaxel, the non-targeted NPs, and the targeted NPs compared to PC-3 cells. We did not see an appreciable difference between the targeted NPs and equivalent treatment of free cabazitaxel in 3D assays. In vivo analysis showed that both the non-targeted and targeted NPs were more effective than free cabazitaxel at reducing tumor burden. Additionally, targeted-NPs improved bone morphology at tumor lesions and were superior in behavioral tests.

Conclusions: In this project we have engineered a bone targeted NP formulation for metastatic prostate cancer. We have determined the chemical and physical characteristics of this system and tested the in vitro cytotoxicity. Finally, we have shown the efficacy of these targeted NPs in an intraosseous model of bone metastatic prostate cancer.

Acknowledgement : Research reported in this publication was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R21CA194295.

Biography:

Michal Pechar, PhD is a senior researcher in the Department of Biomedical Polymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. He is the head of a research group investigating both actively and passively targeted macromolecular therapeutics and diagnostics. His main research interests involve polymer and peptide synthesis, design and preparation of new polymer drug delivery systems based on copolymers of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide and poly(ethylene glycol) and targeting with synthetic peptides or recombinant proteins. He is a co-author of 50 research articles in impacted journals and one patent with more than 1000 citations and H-index 19.

Abstract:

Coiled coil is a common structural motif in many natural proteins. It can be also utilized in design and preparation of the drug delivery systems for non-covalent connection of two macromolecules. In this work, two different pairs of peptides forming coiled coil heterodimers were designed, synthesized and characterized. While the peptide sequences (VAALEKE)₄ (peptide EKE) and (VAALKEK)₄ (peptide KEK) form a coiled coil heterodimer with random orientation of the peptide chains,(IAALESE)₂-IAALESKIAALESE(peptideESE) and IAALKSKIAALKSE-(IAALKSK)₂ (peptide KSK) tend to adopt an anti-parallel orientation of the chains. The orientation of the peptide chains in the coiled coil heterodimers was determined using fluorescence spectroscopy with fluorescence resonance energy transfer labels attached to the ends of the peptides. Both coiled coil heterodimers were used for attachment of a recombinant targeting protein – a single-chain antibody fragment of B1 antibody – to a polymer drug conjugate based on N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide bearing an anti-cancer drug pirarubicin (THP).

Figure 1. Survival of mice with BCL1 leukemia treated with free THP, non-targeted polymer-THP conjugate and targeted polymer-THP conjugate.

Both targeted polymer conjugates exhibited a markedly increased cytotoxic activity in vitro against BCL1 leukemia cells expressing the corresponding antigen compared to the non-targeted polymer drug conjugate. The targeted conjugate containing KSK/ESE coiled coil heterodimer (with the anti-parallel orientation) showed about 2-times higher cytotoxic activity and approximately 4-times higher cell-binding activity (as determined by flow cytometry) than the targeted conjugate with KEK/EKE anchor. In vivo therapeutic activity of the actively targeted polymer-THP conjugate (with KSK/ESE heterodimer) in mice bearing BCL1 leukemia was significantly higher (in terms of the survival time) compared with both the non-targeted polymer-pirarubicin conjugate and the parent drug (Figure 1). It was clearly demonstrated that the coiled coil heterodimers can be utilized for non-covalent attachment of recombinant targeting proteins to polymer-drug conjugates thus enabling preparation of a new generation of actively targeted macromolecular cancerostatics.

Biography:

Professor Blum’s main research focus is on the generation of novel chemical probes targeted to proteolytic enzymes and their application for medical uses such as molecular imaging and therapy. She also applies her original probes for basic research investigating the involvement of proteases in normal and pathological conditions. Over the years at the Hebrew University her group among other projects has developed novel probes for caspase-3 and discovered its activity in the ER, (Shaulove-Rotem 2016); and developed novel photodynamic probes targeted to cathepsin proteases and used them for combined detection and therapy of cancer (Ben-Nun 2015). Recently, she began also work on the nano-scale materials where she developed novel protease sensitive drug delivery molecules (Ben-Nun 2016) and nano-probes for CT molecular imaging.

Abstract:

The development of reactive drug carriers that could actively respond to biological signals is a challenging task. Different peptides can self-assemble into biocompatible nanostructures of various functionalities, including drugs carriers. Minimal building blocks, such as diphenylalanine, readily form ordered nanostructures. Here we present development of self-assembled tetra-peptides that include the diphenylalanine motif, serving as substrates of the cathepsin proteases. This is of great clinical importance as cathepsins, whose activity and expression are highly elevated in cancer and other pathologies, have been shown to serve as efficient enzymes for therapeutic release. Based on the cathepsins affinity around the active site, we generated a library of Phe-Phe-Lys-Phe (FFKF) tetra-peptide substrates (TPSs). We inserted various N-termini capping groups with different chemical properties to investigate the effect on protease affinity and self-assembly. All nine TPSs were cleaved by their targets, cathepsins B and L. However, solvent switching led to nanofibers self-assembly of only seven of them. Due to its rapid self-assembly and complete degradation by cathepsin B, we focused on TPS4, Cbz-FFKF-OH. Degradation of TPS4 nanofibers by cathepsin B led to the release of 91.8±0.3% of the incorporated anti-cancerous drug Doxorubicin from the nanofibers within eight hours while only 55±0.2% was released without enzyme treatment.

Finally, we demonstrated that tumor lysates fully degraded TPS4 nanofibers. Collectively, these results suggest that tetra-peptide substrates that form nanostructures could serve as a promising platform for targeted drug delivery to pathologies in which protease activity is highly elevated.

Biography:

Rene Musters received a Master degree in Molecular Cell Biology & Electron Microscopy at the Utrecht University in 1990, where he also completed his PhD in 1994 (Thesis: "Ischemia and Phospholipid Reorganization in the Sarcolemma"). After his first post-doc position at the Department of Physiology at the ICaR-VU in Amsterdam (1994-1998) he specialized further in setting-up translational research in the field of cardiac adaptation at the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory (Department of Surgery) at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) in Denver (CO, USA). He returned to Amsterdam in 2000 where he was appointed Assistant Professor at the Department of Physiology of the VU University Medical Center in 2001. In 2002 he set-up the ICaR-VU 3D live-cell imaging facility at the Department of Physiology and continued to set-up multiple lines of translational research in collaboration with several clinical and pre-clinical departments and research groups. In 2016 he became Head of the Advanced Microscopy core facility in O|2 (AO|2M) at VU University Medical Center (see also www.ao2m.amsterdam ).

Abstract:

The development of ultrasound contrast agents containing encapsulated microbubbles has increased the possibilities not only for diagnostic imaging, but also for therapeutic applications. Microbubbles have been shown to be able to carry drugs and genes, and destruction of the microbubbles by targeted ultrasound results in local release of their therapeutic contents. Furthermore, ligands as well as nanoparticles can be attached to microbubbles so that they can be targeted to a specific target tissue or even target cells. In this presentation, recent advances of ultrasound microbubbles as vehicles for delivery of therapeutic molecules will be highlighted.

After adding antagomiR to positively charged microbubbles, microbubble-antagomiR complexes are formed.

HL-1 cells treated with ultrasound microbubbles.

Biography:

Iza Radecka joined the School of Sciences at the University of Wolverhampton, UK in 2000. Her research is focused on the cost-effective synthesis of new biomaterials using bacterial biopolymers, produced from bacteria using eco-sustainable feedstock and their chemical derivatization which can transform the crude polymer into a range of highly valuable products. She has published numerous research papers in highly ranked scientific journals, authored several chapters in biotechnological books. Iza has also given a broad number of invited lectures at international conferences.  She has coordinated and participated to funded research projects at the EU as well as national level in the area of biopolymers and bioactive cements. Iza teaches on a wide variety of microbiology and biotechnology courses, both undegraduate and postgraduate level where she puts her knowledge and experience to good effect.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in adenoviral vector anti-cancer therapy. The induction of an immune response, high liver deposition and lack of tumor tropism upon systemic delivery, can be considered as major limitations with this kind of application. Moreover, the ability of beneficial viruses such as bacteriophages to persist for extended periods is limited by many factors including: sunlight, irradiation and temperature. Bacteriophages are viruses that invade specific bacteria and kill them. Their high specificity and their safety profile make them particularly attractive natural antibacterial products.  However, significant research efforts have been focused on development of poly gamma glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-based micro/nanoparticles used as a vector. The biopolymer γ-PGA is an extracellular bacterial polymer, it is biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic polymer. In this study, γ-PGA was used to protect bacteriophage from harmful environmental conditions. Also, we introduced an antibody blind polymer coated-viral vector. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Bacterial synthesis of γ-PGA was performed in a fermenter. Produced polymer was identified by Fourier Transforming Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The number average molecular mass (Mn) was determined by conventional aqueous based gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Different methods were performed to evaluate the possibility of using these micro/nanoparticles as a viral vector. These include single-emulsion method, simple ionic-gelation method and self-assembled NPs using precipitation and dialysis method.

Findings: Bacteriophage formulated with 1% γ-PGA showed significant increase in survival rate compared to non-formulated phage after the exposure to extreme environmental conditions, such as heat, different pH and UV light, over a period of time. Adenovirus was successfully encapsulated inside the biopolymer with encapsulation efficiency of 92% with particle size of 565 nm. The cytotoxicity study showed that the particles are not toxic. The results obtained and the unique characteristics of the polymer established in this research could provide reference for coating and controlled releasing of viral vector used in anti-cancer therapy.

Biography:

Aleksander F. Sikorski is a professor in biochemistry and cell biology at the Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław. His major scientific interests is membrane biochemistry, in particular, structure and function and biological role of spectrins as well as in lateral organization of biological membranes. His long lasting interest is in application of liposomes as drug carriers. He has been an author and co-author of more than 130 scientific papers (great majority published in peer-reviewed journals) and supervised 24 Ph. D. students who successfully obtained their degrees.

He is one of founding editors and since 2016 Editor-in-Chief of the international journal “Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters” (Established in 1996, i.f. 1.7) which is now published in collaboration with BMC/ Springer Nature. He has been a team leader for about 25 years and a chair of the Department of Cytobiochemistry since 2001. He was a founding Head of Academic center for Biotechnology of Lipid Aggregates for 8 years (2002-2010). 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Nanoparticle-based drug formulations are expected to be more efficient and less toxic than conventional drug formulations. This is indeed true in case of the most widely used nanoparticles including liposomes, micelles, dendrim­ers, nanotubes, and polymers. Moreover, most of the nanoparticle-based drug formulations offer a possibility of targeting the drug-loaded vehicles. Such strategy in case of anticancer drugs promises to be a hopeful strategy that allows to reduce toxicity and minimize adverse side effects. Targeting exploits the high affinity of cell-surface-targeted ligands, for specific retention and uptake by the targeted diseased cells.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In this short review we would like to point to the application of liposomes as a versatile anticancer therapeutic carrier which can be targeted with antibodies directed against specific surface markers of cancer cells. Long-circulating liposomes containing PEG-PE and chemically activated PEG (e.g. maleimide derivative) may be considered as “Lego blocks”. Combining them with other components (i.e. drugs and surface-exposed molecules) in different configurations opens up multiple possibilities for different formulations of targeted anticancer drugs. They can be directed to specific tumor cells via targeting ligand(s) which could be attached covalently to the surface of liposomes. Prominent, relatively easy to apply as targeting agents are therapeutic antibodies already available on the market. Such liposomes may contain actively or passively encapsulated therapeutics of various nature.

Conclusion & Significance: Two types of such nanocarriers were developed in our laboratory. One consists of BCL-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complexed with cationic lipid or polyethyleneimine with anti CD20 antibody and the other is based on simvastatin carrying liposomes targeted with anti HER2 antibody. The former type of formulations fulfill criteria of size, stability, specificity and high efficacy against specific type of cancer cells without obvious side effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Liposomal formulation of simvastatin targeted with HER2 antibody proves promising vehicle to deliver relatively high amounts of simvastatin to HER2 overexpressing cells.

Biography:

David Passlick studied Molecular Biology at the Westphalian University of Applied Science (B.Sc.) in Recklinghausen and Biomedicine at the Johannes Gutenberg-University (M.Sc.) in Mainz. He is a doctoral candidate at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and the University Medical Center in Mainz and is funded by the Max Planck Graduate Center. His interdisciplinary PhD project is focused on the enhancement of vaccination by nanocarriers for immunotherapeutic intervention in cancer and infectious diseases.

Abstract:

One aspect of vaccine development is to combine distinctly acting adjuvants to archive superadditive effects on immune cell activation [1, 2]. Moreover, a functional vaccine also requires an antigen source to enable the induction of T cell responses via antigen-presenting cells, particularly dendritic cells (DC), which are capable to activate even naïve T cells.

Figure

Schematic illustration of the project approaches (1) Identification of MDP+R848 as a suitable, superadditive adjuvant combination for BMDC. Soluble as well as particulated delivery induces upregulation of surface activation markers CD80/CD86. (2) Adjuvant delivery via OVA-nanocapsules mediates also strong antigen-specific activation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells via MHC.

A promising approach to meet this challenge is the application of nanoparticles as a drug-delivery-system. In a first initial step, we analyzed and compared the immunostimulatory potential of different soluble TLR and NLR ligand combinations. We identified resiquimod (R848, specific for TLR7) [3] and muramyldipeptide (MDP, specific for NOD2) [4] as a superadditive stimulatory adjuvant combination. Particulated in spermine-modified dextran-nanoparticles, the combination R848+MDP stimulate murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) stronger than the soluble adjuvant application. The second step was to combine adjuvants and antigen in one nanocarrier. For this purpose, we encapsulated the experimentally evaluated adjuvant combination (R848+MDP) in well-characterized [5] polymeric nanocapsules, whose shell consists of cross-linked ovalbumin (OVA) protein. OVA is a commonly used model antigen. To assess the capsules’ immunostimulatory potential, we treated BMDC with the adjuvant-loaded nanoparticles. The expression of the surface activation markers CD80/CD86 and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines were measured by flow cytometry and cytometric bead array, respectively. The capability of the adjuvant-loaded OVA-nanocapsules to mediate OVA-specific T cell responses was assessed by performing T cell proliferation assays with transgenic OT-I (CD8⁺) and OT-II (CD4⁺) T cells that recognize OVA-derived antigens. Our data showed that particulated co-delivery of R848 and MDP activates murine BMDC in a superadditive manner as compared with single-delivery of the adjuvants. Additionally, the application of R848+MDP via OVA-nanocapsules evoked a strong antigen-specific T cell proliferation. These results show that R848/MDP-loaded OVA-nanocapsules are highly active to induce superior antigen-specific T cell responses.

Biography:

Chi Hin Cho is a gastrointestinal (GI) pharmacologist. Currently, he is the Research and Emeritus Professor in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. He has the passion to unveil the various environmental risk factors including alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking and Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of different disorders in the GI tract, in order to define the different effective therapeutic options in the treatment of GI diseases. Lately he moves toward more translational research, in particular using small peptides as probes linking up with different anti-cancer agents, targeting tumor vasculature and macrophages for stomach and colon cancer therapies. His working experiences in the hospital and universities as an administrator and teacher and also his research accomplishments in inflammation and cancer in the GI tract have made him one of the icons in the field for over 40 years

Abstract:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) were originally identified to show potent anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory capability. Unfortunately, several clinical studies of relevant cancer therapy did not observe significant response in maximum tolerated dose whether given alone or in combination. This unfavorable outcome was largely due to the nonspecific action and widespread systemic toxicity found in the body. We used a phage display technology to identify a tumor vasculature homing peptide (TCP-1) which targeted mainly at the vasculature of colorectal tumors but not normal blood vessels in animals and humans. With this discovery, we biologically conjugated the two immunomodulators individually with TCP-1 in order to provide a targeted therapy and perhaps also lessen the systemic side effects incurred by TNFα and IFNγ when given alone or  combined  treatment. In this study, we determined the antitumor effect and systemic toxicity of the new conjugates TCP-1/TNFα and TCP-1/IFNγ either given alone or in combination in an orthotopic colorectal tumor model in mice.

Targeted delivery of TNFα or IFNγ by TCP-1 peptide exhibited better antitumor activity than unconjugated moieties by inducing more tumor apoptosis and also enhancing antitumor immunity shown by increased infiltration of T lymphocytes inside the tumor. TCP-1/TNFα also normalized tumor blood vessels and increased anti-cancer drug concentration in the tumor (Figure 1). Interestingly combined therapy with TCP-1/TNFα and TCP-1/IFNγ synergistically suppressed tumor growth and alleviated systemic toxicities associated with untargeted therapy. This combination of drug treatment induced massive apoptosis/secondary necrosis in tumors. Taken together, our data demonstrates TCP-1 is an efficient drug carrier for targeted therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). TCP-1/TNFα combined with TCP-1/IFNγ is a promising combination of immunotherapy for CRC.

Biography:

Shunsaku Kimura has his expertise in peptideengineering in providing various kinds of peptide materials. He has invented to prepare molecular assemblies showing various morphologies of planar sheet, vesicle, and tube with homogeneous size distributions. This method is now extended to prepare chimeric morphologies including a round-bottom-shaped morphology which is considered as a combined morphology of vesicle and tube. One of the molecular assembly has been successfully applied for the theranostics of solid tumors, where the nanoparticle is labeled with indium-111 for SPECT imaging and with yttrium-90 for therapy.  Breast cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer, and meningeal seeding can be nicely targeted with this nanoparticle. This approach paves a challenging aspect of nanoparticle based on the new concept of molecular design taking immune response into consideration.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: There are several candidates for a carrying vehicle of imaging and therapeutic agents targeting various kinds of tumors in the field of the emerging theranositcs. One effective vehicle is fully human antibodies, however, which cost high to threaten the preservation of the universal health insurance in Japan. Nanoparticles is the other potential candidate for the vehicle owing to the passive accumulation in solid tumors so called the EPR effect. However, nanoparticles should resolve the serious problem of the accelerated blood clearance (ABC) phenomenon which is the immune response triggered by nanoparticles. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the designs of nanoparticles displaying immune-evasive, immune-tolerable, and immune-active properties. Methodology: Nanoparticles were prepared by the method of molecular assembling. The component molecules were amphiphilicpolypeptides and polydepsipeptides having poly(sarcosine) as a hydrophilic block. Findings: Nanoparticles having a densely packed hydrophilic layer around the nanoparticles were shown to evade from the immune system. When the nanoparticles were intravenously injected in tumor-bearing mice, they were found to accumulate in the tumor region at the 1^st and 2^nd doses similarly.

On the other hand, another nanoparticle, which was recognized by the immune system, was converted to the immune-tolerable nanoparticle by decorating the surface with sialic acid derivatives. Further, the immune-active nanoparticle was examined with using Le^y as an antigen of solid tumors.  The nanosheet expressing Le^y on the surface was shown to be the most effective to trigger the immune system.

Conclusion & Significance: Nanoparticles intrinsically triggers the immune system, but can escape by a suitable surface design.  The nanoparticles can be immune-tolerable by incorporation of sialic acids. Further, the antigen-carrying nanoparticle can be applied for cancer vaccination. Taken together, nanoparticles are highly potential in cancer medicine, resulting in support for the universal health insurance.

Biography:

Konstantin Bloch, PhD is head of research team at Felsenstein Medical Research Center and associate professor at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Dr. Bloch is an expert in the field of pancreatic islet transplantation and cell immunoisolation.  He is the scientific co-founder of the Beta-O2 Technologies, a biomedical company developing a highly oxygenated implantable bio-artificial pancreas for treatment of type 1 diabetes (currently in Phase I/II). Recently, his team developed a proprietary technology of cell-based insulin delivery to the brain for treatment of cognitive disorders.

Abstract:

Background: There is increasing evidence supporting a link between dementia associated with peripheral metabolic dysfunctions and impaired brain insulin signaling. Insulin therapy has previously been tested as an approach to ameliorate brain insulin resistance and deficiency in patients with various brain disorders. However, current strategies for insulin delivery to the brain may induce severe hypoglycemia when injected peripherally or show poor uptake when delivered intranasally. Recently, we have shown that intracranial transplantation of a small amount of naked or alginate immunoisolated pancreatic islets increased brain insulin content and attenuated cognitive dysfunctions without altering peripheral glucose homeostasis in rats with schizophrenia–like syndrome. In this study, we used a small number of intracranially grafted pancreatic islets for efficient and metabolically regulated delivery of insulin to the brain for treatment of cognitive and peripheral dysfunctions in a rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD).  

Results: The effect of intracranially grafted islets on cognitive and metabolic dysfunctions was tested using inbred Lewis rats with AD induced by a single intracerebroventricular administration of 3 mg/kg streptozotocin (icv-STZ). Six weeks after icv-STZ, the obese rats were transplanted with one hundred islets in the cranial subarachnoid cavity. Eight weeks after islet transplantation, the spatial learning and memory of the recipients as estimated by the Morris Water Maze test were significantly improved compared to non-transplanted icv-STZ rats. In addition, the transplanted icv-STZ rats demonstrated statistically significant reduction of food consumption, body weight and blood level of insulin compared to non-transplanted icv-STZ rats. Importantly, intracranially grafted islets increased brain insulin content without alteration in peripheral glucose homeostasis.

In conclusion: Our results provide a novel approach for efficient and metabolically regulated insulin delivery to the brain. Intracranial transplantation of a small amount of pancreatic islets attenuates cognitive decline and obese-related peripheral metabolic dysfunctions in a rat model of sporadic AD.

Biography:

Roberto De Santis was born in Naples, Italy, in 1966. He received the mechanical engineering degree in 1994, the PhD in Biotechnology of Dental Materials in 1997 and the Master in Biomaterials in 2001. He is Researcher at the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) of the Italian National Research Council from 2001. He is adjunct professor of Science and Technology of Dental Materials at the School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine of Naples “Federico II”. He  has worked for many years on materials for biomedical applications developing particular skills on the properties of natural tissues, design of prostheses for hard tissues replacements and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Magnetic feature have been recently incorporated into polymer based multifunctional scaffolds for tissue engineering. The rationale relies on the possibility to deliver, on demand, bioaggregates such as drugs and growth factors, by switching on and off an external magnetic field. Moreover, cell seeding into these scaffold may be improved through external magnetic fields. Nanocomposite magnetic scaffolds consist of a thermoplastic polymeric matrix reinforced and functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). These composites show a superparamagnetic behavior, as they magnetize in the presence of a magnetic field in a similar fashion of ferromagnetic materials, but removing the external magnetic field the residual magnetization is almost null.Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Iron oxide and iron doped hydroxyapatite MNPs have been incorporated into aliphatic polyester matrix, and these nanocomposites were processed according to rapid prototyping techniques. A multiphysical approach based on magnetic measurements, simulations, mechanical testing and contact angle measurements has been carried out for characterizing these fully interconnected scaffolds. Cell-material interaction has been evaluated in vitro through cell assays, while preliminary in vivo behavior has been assessed through animal models.

Findings: Nanocomposite magnetic scaffolds have been successfully processed through rapid prototyping techniques. These scaffolds show a superparamagnetic behavior. MNPs allow to tailor mechanical properties and to improve wettability. Compared to neat aliphatic polyester based scaffolds, an enhancement of cell-material interaction and of tissue regeneration is observed. It seems that this approach is the only one possible to release, on demand, bioaggregates through an external physical signal.

Conclusion & Significance: Nanocomposite superparamagnetic scaffolds provide very unique features. Used in combination with magnetically labeled cells and/or magnetic functionalized bioaggregates, these scaffolds allow to trigger biological events by using static or dynamic magnetic fields. Custom made superparamagnetic nanocomposite scaffolds have the potential to guide the regeneration process of damaged biological tissues.

Biography:

Yoav D. Livney [B.Sc. (Suma cum Laude, 1990) Food Engineering & Biotechnology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology; M.S. (1995) Food Engineering, UW Madison, Wisconsin, USA; PhD (2002) Food Engineering & Biotechnology Technion IIT; Post-Doc Food Science, University of Guelph, Canada] of the Biotechnology and Food Engineering department, Technion [2004- Lecturer; 2007- Asst. Professor, 2012- Assoc. Prof.] is an expert in physical chemistry of biopolymers, and nano-deliverysystems for nutraceuticals and drugs. Authored >50 publications, 8 patents, gave >35 invited talks at international conferences, and mentored 13 M.Sc. and 7 Ph.D. students. Editorial-Board Member in several reputed journals.

Abstract:

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a primary obstacle to curative cancer therapy. We have previously demonstrated that β-casein (β-CN) micelles (β-CM) can serve as nanovehicles for oral delivery and target-activated release of hydrophobic drugs in the stomach. Herein we introduce a novel nanosystem based on β-CM, to orally deliver a synergistic combination of a chemotherapeutic drug (Paclitaxel, PTX) and a P-glycoprotein-specific transport inhibitor (Tariquidar TQD) individually encapsulated within β-CM, for overcoming MDR in gastric cancer. Light microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses revealed solubilization of these drugs by β-CN, suppressing drug crystallization. Spectrophotometry demonstrated high loading capacity and good encapsulation efficiency, whereas spectrofluorometry revealed high affinity of these drugs to β-CN. In vitro cytotoxicity assays exhibited remarkable synergistic efficacy against human MDR gastric carcinoma cells with P-glycoprotein overexpression (4). Oral delivery of β-CN based nanovehicles carrying synergistic drug combinations to the stomach constitutes a novel efficacious therapeutic system that may overcome MDR in gastric cancer.

Cytotoxicity (in terms of IC50 values) of PTX and PTX+0.8 μM TQD, with and without -CN encapsulation following simulated gastric digestion, examined using EPG85-257P, parental cell line and EPG85-257RDB multidrug resistant subline. N.S. indicates a non-significant difference, **indicates P < 0.001 and ***indicates P < 0.0001 as determined by student’s t-test.

Biography:

Khalid AbdelRahim interested in antibiotics resistance problems. He is trying to help in overcoming this problem by awareness towards antibiotics usage, new drug by using nanotechnology.

Abstract:

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a necessary field of applied science. Biological method for synthesis of AgNPs by Rizobus stonilifer aqueous mycellical extract was used. The AgNPs were identified by UV–visible spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform Infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). Presence of surface plasmon band around 420 nm indicates AgNPs formation . The characteristic  of the of AgNPs within the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure are indicated by the peaks of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern corresponding to (111), (200) and (220) planes. Spherical, mono-dispersed and stable AgNPs with diameter around 9.47 nm were prepared and affirmed by high- resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) shows peaks at 1426 and 1684 cm^-1 that affirm presence of coat covering protein the AgNPs which is known as capping proteins. Parameters optimization showed smallest size of  AgNPs ( 2.86 ± 0.3 nm ) was obtained with 10⁻² M  AgNO₃ at 40 º C.  Present study provides the proof that the molecules within aqueous mycellial extract of R. stonilifer facilitate synthesis of AgNPs and highlight on value-added from R. stonilifer for cost effective. Also, eco-frindely medical and nanotechnology-based industries could also be provided. Size of prepared AgNPs could be controlled by temperature and AgNO₃ concentration. Further studies are required to study effect of more parameters on size and morphology of AgNPs as this will help in control of large scale production of biogenic AgNPs.

Biography:

James Hitchcock is currently focusing on colloidal science, in particular metallic nanoparticle manufacture, liquid core/polymer shell microcapsules, catalysts and metal electroless deposition. James’s 2015 paper ‘Long-Term Retention of Small, Volatile Molecular Species within Metallic Microcapsules’ successfully demonstrated, for the first time, the long term micro-encapsulation of small volatile molecules which lead to 8 patents being successfully filled and a ‘Research Excellent Award’. James is currently working to utilise this technology as a drug delivery vehicle successfully winning 2017 Welcome Trust ISSF Award and going through to the second round of a ‘Cancer Research UK Multidisciplinary Project Award 2017’ grant application.

Abstract:

Cancer therapeutics have dramatic side effects on healthy tissues. A prominent research area focuses on encapsulating cytotoxic drugs for targeted delivery to cancer tissues and for reduction of off-tissue side-effects. However, significant challenges remain for encapsulated clinical drugs (e.g. liposomal doxorubicin):

1. Drug encapsulation remains very expensive.

2. Drug loading is low and the manufacturing process is inefficient

3. Once encapsulated drug leaching over time is often high  (especially on dilution)

4. Typically release specifically within tumours is not achieved

Schematic diagrams and corresponding electron microscopy images of the different phases: (1) catalytic metal nanoparticle synthesis, (2) nanoparticle stabilization of liquid emulsion droplets and (3) electroless deposition of a continuous, impermeable metal coating. An image of the metal capsules on the front cover of ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces is also included.

Recently, we have demonstrated the efficient manufacture of impermeable metal-shell/liquid core microcapsules (Hitchcock ‘Long-term Retention of Small, Volatile Molecular Species within Metallic Microcapsules’, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2015, 7, 14808) that permit localised delivery of active (pharmaceutical) ingredient high doses by triggering release with ultrasound at the target location. This delivery method has the potential to be superior to all previously developed encapsulation strategies because it would address all of the above challenges simultaneously:

1. Capsules can easily be manufactured at industrial scale,

2. High drug content can be achieved within capsule cores,

3. No drug leaching occurs, thus preventing any side-effects prior to release activation via ultrasound treatment,

4. Complete release of high drug concentrations can be achieved in cancer-affected areas only.

Biography:

Bruno Sarmento completed his PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology and degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; Affiliated Researcher at Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health (i3S) and Institute of Biomedical Engineering (INEB), University of Porto, Portugal; Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Technology at IUCS, Gandra, Portugal. His current research is focused on the development of functionalized nanomedicines and their application in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. In particular, nanoformulations of biopharmaceutical drugs with interest in diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases. He has also specialized in mucosal tissue engineering models to validate functionalized nanomedicines and to perform in vitro/in vivo correlation. He published more than 160 papers in international peer reviewed (ISI) journals, most in top journals (Q1 in Pharmaceutical Sciences; Q1 in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; total citations 3350; accumulated impact factor 627; H-index 29), 34 book chapters and more than 180 proceedings. He edited 4 books, participated in more than 50 invited/selected talks in national and international meetings and was awarded several distinctions. He is member of the Editorial Advisory Board of 10 international journals and has acted as referee for top-ranked journals in his area of expertise, and for international funding agencies.

Abstract:

Diabetes mellitus is a high prevalence and one of the most severe and lethal diseases in the world with tremendous impact on health worldwide.  Anti-diabetic peptides as insulin or GLP-1 are commonly used to treat diabetes in order to give patients a better life condition. However, due to bioavailability problems, their most common route of administration is the subcutaneous route. Invasive delivery route is, still, the most efficient, but less desired by patients. Non-invasive delivery systems have potential to overcome the most pressing problem regarding effective treatment of diabetic patients - therapy compliance, and is thus considered as convenient alternative, but it faces important challenges. Therefore, the nanoencapsulation of antidiabetic peptides into nanoparticles is presented as a good strategy to improve bioavailability.

In our research group, we have developing and characterizing nanoparticles containing insulin and/or GLP-1 peptides, following their evaluation as medical products to control diabetes upon oral delivery. In particular, we use poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) modified with chitosan and a cell-penetrating peptide. Afterwards, glucagon like peptide -1 (GLP-1) loaded NPs were encapsulated into a pH-sensitive polymer and loaded with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, using a microfluidics technique. The in vivo tests were performed in a rat type 2 diabetes mellitus model by oral gavage, and the blood glucose levels were quantified. The plasmatic insulin levels, as well as the pancreatic insulin content, were also evaluated.

Our no-invasive technologies have demonstrated a clear efficacy in lowering the blood glucose levels in diabetic animal models. Not only nanoparticles have demonstrated to be able to cross biological barriers, but also provide sustain release of their peptide payloads. The interaction between the nanoparticles and the intestinal co-culture cells showed that there was a clear increase in the interaction between the modified nanoparticles with the cells. In the in vivo assays, the blood glucose levels decreased after 4 h of the administration of the particles and were kept low thereafter. The insulin levels increased along the time and the insulin pancreatic content was higher in the experimental groups in comparison with the control. No inflammation, cytotoxicity or tissue damage have been associated with chronic use of such nanoparticles, giving promising clinical application in a near future.

The developed particles were sensitive to different pH, showing high interact with intestinal cells. They allowed the dual-delivery of two different drugs in a single formulation. The very low activity of DPP4 enzyme prolonged the GLP-1’s half-life, thus increasing the insulin levels and decreasing the blood glucose levels along the time in vivo.

In this presentation, it will be demonstrate the feasibility of nanomedicines to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of antidiabetic biopharmaceutical drugs.

Biography:

Hidetoshi Arima is Professor of Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan.  He received a Ph.D. in 1991 from Kumamoto University in Japan. From 1991 to 1993, he worked at Eisai Co., Ltd. in Japan. From 1993-1998, he worked at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences as research associate.  In 1998, he moved to Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Kumamoto University in Japan, and then was promoted to associate professor in 2001. In 2007, he was promoted to Professor in Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University in Japan.  His research interest is design and evaluation of integrated drug delivery system (DDS) based on cyclodextrins. In addition, he started to research the potential use of sacran, a supergiant cyanobacterial polysaccharide, as natural drugs and DDS carriers.  Over 150 research papers and 10 patents have been published since 1986.  Further growth of the DDS research is expected.

Abstract:

Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-b-CyD) induced apoptosis in tumor cells and had the potential as a novel antitumor agent and/or its lead compound. To obtain a tumor cell-selectivity of M-β-CyD, we newly synthesized folate-appended M-β-CyD (FA-M-β-CyD), and evaluated the potential of FA-M-β-CyD as a novel antitumor agent in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to M-β-CyD, FA-M-β-CyD entered KB cells (folate receptor (FR)-α (+)) through CLIC/GEEC endocytosis in a FR-a-dependent manner , and provides selective antitumor activity in FR-a-expressing cells by the induction of autophagy, not apoptosis. FA-M-β-CyD drastically inhibited the tumor growth after intratumoral or intravenous injection to FR-positive Colon-26 cells-bearing mice. Importantly, an intravenous administration of FA-M-β-CyD to tumor-bearing mice did not show any significant change in blood chemistry values. To gain insight into the detailed mechanism of this antitumor activity,

we focused on the induction of mitophagy by the treatment of FR-a-expressing tumor cells with FA-M-b-CyD. The transmembrane potential of isolated mitochondria after treatment with FA-M-b-CyD was significantly elevated. Additionally, FA-M-b-CyD lowered ATP production and promoted reactive oxygen species production in KB cells (FR-a (+)). Importantly, FA-M-b-CyD enhanced light chain 3 (LC3) conversion (LC3-I to LC3-II) in KB cells (FR-a (+)) and induced PINK1 protein expression, which is involved in the induction of mitophagy.  Furthermore, FA-M-b-CyD had potent antitumor activity in BALB/c nu/nu mice xenografted with KB cells (FR-a (+)) without any significant side effects. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the autophagic cell death elicited by FA-M-b-CyD could be associated with mitophagy induced by an impaired mitochondrial function, and has the potential as a novel antitumor agent inducing mitophagy.

Biography:

Yareli Rojas-Aguirre got her PhD degree in Chemistry in 2013 at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In the same year, she joined the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Michigan as a postdoctoral fellow. In 2014, she came back to Mexico to start her career as young professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her research interests focus on the design and synthesis of biomaterials and the study of their interactions at biological interfaces to: Rational design and develop advanced drug delivery systems. Investigate at the micro and macro scale biomaterials fabrication processes, in particular 3D printing (additive manufacturing) for biomedical devices. Integrate the biomaterials and biofabrication research with the discovery of new bioactive molecules and/or drug repositioning approaches to accomplish drug delivery platforms that lead up to novel and suitable therapies.

Abstract:

One of the main goals of nanomedicine is the design and development of “smart” drug delivery systems: nanostructures that can simultaneously diagnose and release bioactive molecules under spatio-temporal control. To that end, the multifunctional drug delivery platforms must display unique properties but also require sophisticated chemical approaches to build them. Although their fascinating molecular engineering has substantially enriched the literature, they could be quite far to reach the market. What is needed? Besides the construction of platforms with more functionalities, is fundamental to keep in mind key those aspects that can make the nanostructures succeed. On the other hand, the way the systems will be fabricated and scaled-up should not be neglected. One of the most outstanding fabrication techniques is 3D printing. The integration of nanomedicine and 3D printing has opened the door to a vast number of opportunities for manufacturing nanomaterials-based micro and macrosale biomedical devices.

In this context, the research is mainly focused on the design of novel inks comprised by smart materials, nanocomposites and even living cells. Certainly, innovative inks are needed, but is that enough? Thus, in this work, we present our approaches to answer the stated questions. Regarding the drug delivery platforms, our approach is the systematic design of nanosystems by studying every single gear of the nanoassembly in terms of their interactions at the biological interfaces, and the physicochemical evaluation of their disassembly when they reach the biological target. With respect to the 3D printing technologies, we are focused on the relationships between the manufacturing parameters/processes and the physicochemical requirements of the actual nanomaterials for being printed.

In this way, we intend to join two revolutionary directions in drug delivery, not for creating a super Revolution but to be part of the Evolution of the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields

Biography:

Vincenzo Guarino, PhD in Biomaterials Science, is Senior Research Scientist at IPCB-CNR since 2006. He is expert of process technologies for scaffold design and electrofluidodynamic technologies (i.e, electrospinning, electrospraying, Electro Dynamic Atomization) to produce micro/nanofibres, particles and capsules for tissue regeneration, drug delivery and cancer therapy. He is author of over 70 international publications (H-Index 20 – Scopus source), 9 book chapters, 2 patents (1 pending) and about 200 communications in international/national conferences and awarded as author/co-author in several international congresses on biomaterials. He is also Editor/ Reviewer of several international journals, and Member of the European (ESB) and Italian (SIB) Society of Biomaterials and American Nano Society.

Abstract:

A large variety of processes and tools is recently emerging to design instructive materials with controlled chemical, physical and biological properties for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Among them, electro fluido dynamic techniques (EFDTs) are revolutionising traditional biomaterial’s manufacturing approach, basically identifing relatively complex fabrication processes to design innovative devices with restrained manufacturing costs but high functional complexity. By the use of electrostatic forces, biomaterials may be manipulated in different forms for the fabrication of a large set of 3D platforms with controlled micro/nanostructure (i.e., scaffolds, nanoparticles, capsules, mono or multicompartment systems, microgels and microscaffolds) able to more efficiently address in vitro and in vivo cell activities. EFDTs allow to produce fibres and/or particles at micro- and/or submicro-metric size scale through a rational selection of polymer solution properties and process conditions, thus creating different 3D devices able to incorporate biopolymers (i.e., proteins, polysaccharides) or active molecules (e.g., growth factors, chemotherapeutics) for countless applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery and cancer therapy. Here, we overview the basic EFDTs technologies – i.e., electrospinning, electrospraying and electrodynamic atomization – and recent current advances in experimental setups to develop bio-inspired platforms for tissue engineering, drug delivery and cancer therapy.

Biography:

Miguel Moreno has a passionate interest in drug delivery and innovation management. He really looks forward to transferring his research to commercially feasible technology. He is a committed biomedical research scientist with over fifteen years’ experience in biophysics (protein-protein and protein-liposome interactions), biochemistry, polymer chemistry, drug delivery systems, sustained release, biomedical applications. He has developed a polymer-based platform for carrying peptides, bringing out a targeted pro-cytotoxic drug delivery system based on wasp venom for cancer therapy, which has been awarded. At present, he is involved in a large "ocular diseases" project, from NTU-Northwestern Institute for Nanomedicine (NNIN), for developing new carriers to deliver anti-inflamatory drugs and anti-VEGF proteins for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). He has expertise in designing, optimizing and evaluating entrapment of therapeutic proteins, peptides and small molecules into a wide variety of nano- and microcarriers and hydrogels.

Abstract:

Statement of the problem: The anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents such as ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and aflibercept (EyLea®) are currently used as monthly or bimonthly intravitreal injections to treat potentially blinding retinal diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic macular edema (DME). Because of the complications associated with repeated intra-vitreal injections, there is considerable interest in developing a sustained delivery system. The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of both therapeutic proteins under physiological conditions as well as when incorporated into drug delivery systems (DDS). Furthermore, these two therapeutic proteins were entrapped into thiolated chitosan-based hydrogels and their release was modulated by different degree of crosslinking. A detailed study of characterization of released protein was performed.

Results: Using several complementary and stability-indicating analytical methods, we have demonstrated that both ranibizumab and aflibercept were stable in an extended range of different pH conditions as well aswhen incubated at 37°C for up to 30 days. In addition, we investigated the stability of both proteins after a rapid screening method that simulates the first homogenizing step during the protein microencapsulation process. Finally, optimal controlled release of active released proteins from thiolated chitosan-based hydrogels was characterized.

Conclusion & Significance: the stability of ranibizumab and afflibercept may be considered optimal for long-term sustained release, maintaining their capacity to bind VEGF. Controlled bioactive release for one month was achieved for both proteins in vitro using thiolated chitosan hydrogels. These ones may be an advantageous ocular carriers for improving wet AMD and DME.

Biography:

Nianping Feng is currently a full Professor of Pharmaceutics at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHUTCM). He received his Ph. D from China Pharmaceutical University in June 1997 and joined the SHUTCM in October 1998. From September 2012 to September 2013, Dr. Feng worked as a Senior Research Scientist at Purdue University.  His research interests include novel drug delivery system, nano pharmaceuticals, and TCM-based new drug development. Prof. Feng published more than 100 research papers and 8 book chapters and holds 10 patents.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed chronic liver diseases. The identification of safe and effective drugs treating NAFLD is critical for improving patient survival and preventing further progression of the disease. Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of flavonoid compounds extracted from the seeds of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, and has been used as an agent in the treatment of fatty liver, liver injury, and hepatitis, and has shown hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. However, the poor water solubility of SM limits its oral absorption and bioavailability. The purpose of this study is to develop the chitosan-modified, SM-loaded LPNs (CS-LPNs) to enhance the bioavailability and improve the efficacy of SM.

Methodology: A NAFLD model was generated by using PNPLA3 I148M transgenic mice, and the lipid-lowering effect of chitosan-modified silymarin-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles was investigated. The nanoprecipitation method was used to prepare the lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, and their characterization was also determined.

Findings: The average diameter of the CS-LPNs was 286.47 ± 23.79 nm. In vitro release experiments showed an 80% release within 8 h. Cytology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the nanoparticles were characterized. CS-LPNs reduced lipid accumulation in the livers of PNPLA3 I148M transgenic mice, effectively lowered blood lipid levels, and improved liver function. CS-LPNs provide a new treatment option for NAFLD.

Conclusion: We confirmed that CS-LPNs can inhibit lipid accumulation in the liver and enhance drug efficacy. These findings indicate that CS-LPNs may offer a new treatment option for NAFLD.

Biography:

Yaping Li received Ph.D. degrees in Fudan University in 2001. He devoted himself in drug targeted delivery based on nanotechnology, mainly involved in reversing MDR and improving pharmacological efficacy of antitumor agents, designing and constructing new non-viral vector for gene delivery. He has published over 150 scientific papers in Nat Medicine, Adv Mater, ACS Nano, Adv Funct Mater, Small, Biomaterials, Nanomedicine NBM, J Control Release, etc. He won National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2009), Shanghai Outstanding Academic Leaders (2011), Zhu Li Yuehua Excellent Teacher Award of CAS (2010), the Hundred Talents Program Talent of CAS (2010) and Shanghai Leading Talent (2010).  He is the Chief Scientist of National Basic Research Program of China in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (2009), Vice Chairman of Pharmaceutics Society of Shanghai Pharmacy Association, Member of Council, Shanghai Pharmaceutical Association, Member of Branch of China in the International Controlled Release Association (CRS), and Member of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Associstion.

Abstract:

Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) has emerged as a promising clinical modality for cancer therapy due to its ability to initiate an antitumor immune response. However, PIT is severely impaired by tumor cell immunosuppression of host T-cell antitumor activity through the programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) and programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) (PD-L1/PD-1) immune checkpoint pathway. In this study we demonstrate that PIT can be augmented by PD-L1 knockdown (KD) in tumor cells. We rationally designed a versatile micelleplex by integrating an acid-activatable cationic micelle, photosensitizer (PS), and small interfering RNA (siRNA).

The micelleplex was inert at physiological pH conditions and activated only upon internalization in the acidic endocytic vesicles of tumor cells for fluorescence imaging and PIT. The combination of PIT and PD-L1 KD showed significantly enhanced efficacy to inhibit tumor growth and distant metastasis in a B16-F10 melanoma xenograft tumor model. These results suggest that acid-activatable micelleplexes utilizing PDT-induced cancer immunotherapy are more effective when combined with siRNA-mediated PD-L1 blockade.

Biography:

Young Tag Ko has his research expertise with nanomedicines and drug delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics. Of my research interests are drug delivery systems, in particular, in vivo delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics (pDNA, ODN, RNA) using nanoparticular systems of lipids, polymers, and lipid-polymer combinatory systems such as artificial virus, lipid-modified polymers, and capable of tissue and disease-specific targeting, in particular brain and cardiovascular systems. Understanding the intracellular and extracelluar fate of such systems using various in vitro and in vivo imaging techniques is also of my interest.

Abstract:

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach for the treatment of serious disorders including cancer. The objective of this study was to develop a mitochondria-targeted photosensitizer (PS) for PDT. The PDT efficiency of PSs can be enhanced by improving its intracellular targeting ability. The lifetime of singlet oxygen generated from PS by light treatment is between 10–320 nanoseconds in the target area; therefore, its diffusion is only limited to approximately 10 nm to 55 nm in cells. Thus, the PS must be localized as close as possible to cellular organelles, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and lysosome.

Methods: Herein, a porphyrin-derivative PS, pheophorbide a (PheoA), was conjugated to carboxybutyl triphenylphosphonium (TPP) via a carbodiimide linkage to enhance mitochondrial targeting and TPP-PheoA conjugate was further loaded into folate-cholesteryl albumin (FA-chol-BSA) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve its biocompatibility. In vitro and in vivo studies have been done in B16F10 and HeLa cancer cell lines and tumor-bearing mice, respectively, in the presence of laser irradiation. Furthermore, we generated orthotopic GBM xenograft mice by intracranially implanting luciferase gene transduced U-87 MG human glioblastoma cells and evaluated antitumor capacity of the NP in the tumor bearing mice. Real-time biodistribution was determined by monitoring the fluorescence of PS, and the growth of GBM after treatment was also determined by monitoring the bioluminescence signal from D-luciferin-luciferase using in vivo imaging system (IVIS).

Results: TPP-PheoA and TPP-PheoA@FA-chol-BSA NPs were readily taken up by B16F10 and HeLa cells. Further in vitro studies exhibited that TPP-PheoA and its nanoparticle primarily accumulate in the mitochondria, greatly generate ROS, lead mitochondrial disruption and cell apoptosis, and have higher phototoxicity against cancer cells. In vivo bioimaging and in vivo antitumor studies indicated that TPP-PheoA@FA-chol-BSA NP greatly accumulated in the tumor area and significantly suppress the tumor growth as compared to PheoA@FA-chol-BSA NP in tumor-bearing mice. TPP-Pheo@FA-chol-BSA NP also greatly accumulated in and significantly suppressed the growth of the brain tumor compared to the free PS and PBS in the orthotopic GBM model mice.

Conclusion: Taken together, TPP-PheoA@FA-chol-BSA NP could be a promising mitochondria-targeted PS for image-guided PDT and has great potential as a clinically applicable therapeutics for photodynamic therapy of GBM.

Biography:

Zifu Li is currently a Professor in College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Dr. Li obtained his PhD, majored in polymer physics, in 2012 from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Afterwards, he worked in University of Alberta as a postdoc. During March 2015 and January 2016, Dr. Li worked as a research scientist in Georgia Tech. Now, Dr. Li is focusing on hydroxyethyl starch (HES) based smart nanomedicine, for cancer immunotherapy applications.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Although nanoparticles could enhance the delivery efficiency of chemotherapeutics, the percentages accumulating at tumor site is still low, with a median of 0.7% for the last decade. Tumor tissue with insufficient chemotherapy might be the crime culprit of tumor metastasis. In this research, we adopted a combined-administration strategy by nanoparticle to prevent the insufficient chemotherapy-promoted tumor metastasis. DOX and TGF-β receptor inhibitor, LY2157299, were co-delivered by HES-PLA nanoparticle. With suppression of EMT process by blocking the TGF-β path, the distant metastasis were dramatically inhibited. Meanwhile, DOX exhibited better anti-tumor efficacy on the primary tumor.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: HES-PLA nanoparticles was obtained by a three-step preparation procedure and characterized by TEM, AFM and DLS. Anti-tumor efficacy in vitro was evaluated with 4T1 cell by MTT assay. Western blot was applied to evaluate the expression of EMT-related proteins. ELISA was used to quantify TGF-β. The metastatic capabilities of cell treated with different administrations were evaluated by transwell assay (in vitro) and zebrafish model (in vivo). Mice bearing subcutaneous 4T1 tumor were ultimately used to examine its efficacy of anti-primary tumor and anti-distant metastasis.

Findings: The transwell assay and zebrafish model reveal that low dose of DOX could enhance the metastasis ability of 4T1 cell. Importantly, the in vivo study demonstrate that co-deliver of DOX and LY2157299 by nanoparticle could simultaneously suppress the primary tumor (TIR, 80.7%) and distant metastasis (no nodule on the lung).

Conclusion & Significance: In vivo biological barriers always deteriorate the delivery efficacy of DOX, causing insufficient chemotherapy and therefore promoting metastasis. Combined administration of DOX and LY2157299 could significantly suppress the insufficient-chemotherapy-enhanced EMT process by blocking the TGF-β path, decreasing the distant metastasis and intensifying the anti-tumor efficacy of DOX.

Biography:

Erwan Rauwel PhD, habil. obtained his PhD from Caen University in Materials science. He continued with postdoctoral studies at Minatec, Grenoble, France and the University of Aveiro, Portugal. He has been a Senior Researcher at University of Oslo where he has developped a new method for the synthesis of ultrastable metal nanoparticles (patented). Since, 2013, he is Professor at Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu College where his team is investigating the properties of these metal nanoparticles for biomedical applications. He has more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, 2 book chapters and 4 patents. He is presently consulting editor for International Journal of Nanomedicine.

Abstract:

The past 2 decades have seen the development of new methods for the production of nanoparticles.  The main interests in nanoparticles comes from their unique chemical and electronic properties due to their large surface-to-volume ratio and their high potential applications. The advances in synthesis methods have improved thereby giving monodisperse nanoparticles with a good size distribution and shape control during the synthesis. However, the methods of synthesis strongly affect their intrinsic properties and more particularly the surface properties. In particular, the presence of surfactants or organic species on their surface can shield their properties. However, surfactant-free nanoparticles are very sensitive to their environment and more particularly in the human body. In addition, metal nanoparticles like cobalt, copper and nickel produced using conventional methods have pyrophoric properties. So, the encapsulation of nanoparticles into polymer with an extremely low cytotoxicity is usually necessary for the development of biomedical applications.

Biological approaches and green synthesis routes using biological molecules originating from plant extracts have been developed for the synthesis of nanoparticles thus, discarding the use of toxic chemicals. Here, the active molecules of plant extracts are used as active capping agents thereby improving the nanoparticle properties influenced by the plant extracts. The functionalization of the surface for targeted applications has sparked a lot of interest for cancer treatment and the development of biocidal coatings. This talk will highlight some of the advances and will emphasize on current nanomaterials that are presently developed for biomedical applications. Our recent results involving ultrastable metal nanoparticles will also be described.

Biography:

Alejandro Sosnik is Associate Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology since early 2014 where he founded the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanomaterials Science. His current research lines comprise drug self-assembly and crystallization phenomena and processing, polymer and macromolecular chemistry, biomaterials science, colloidal chemistry (drug and polymer self-assembly), mucoadhesive drug delivery systems, nanomedicine (drug encapsulation, release and targeting), therapy of poverty-related diseases (HIV, tuberculosis), pediatric cancer, intestinal diseases and pharmacokinetics (oral, inhalatory and intranasal administration routes) in both preclinical and clinical trials.

Abstract:

Nanoparticle-in-Microparticle Delivery Systems (NiMDSs) are a novel kind of delivery platform composed of a drug that is encapsulated within a nanoparticle and is then, re-encapsulated within a microparticle (Fig. 1).

The nanoparticle component displays maximum surface area that increases the drug dissolution rate and the bioavailability after oral administration, while the microparticle one allows the loading of high drug cargos and the spatiotemporal fine-tuning of the release in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the use of mucoadhesive polymers for the production of the micrometric component would prolong the residence time of the NiMDS in the gut, maximizing the intestinal absorption of the drug and likely enabling a reduction in the frequency of administration. Aiming to improve the biopharmaceutical performance of poorly water-soluble drugs that demand administration several times a day, my research group investigates NiMDSs for the controlled release of antiretrovirals by the oral route to optimize the anti-HIV therapy. To achieve this, an innovative simplified two-component NiMDS comprised of pure nanoparticles of the poorly water-soluble drugs are encapsulated within film-coated mucoadhesive microparticles. This strategy is especially appealing for poorly water-soluble drugs that do not undergo fast dissolution in the gastrointestinal medium and where the dissolution rate is capitalized to control the release of the drug from the carrier. At the same time, it could be extended to more soluble drugs with the appropriate film-coating of the microparticle surface with a water-insoluble and permeable membrane that controls the release kinetics. In this presentation, I will discuss the concept and overview the most recent results employing this delivery approach. 

Biography:

Chun-Xia Zhao is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow and Associate group leader at Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland, Australia. She leads a research team with a focus on bio-inspired engineering and microfluidics. She has been focusing on innovative research as evidenced by her four patents. Dr Zhao’s research has attracted more than $2.5 M in research funding since 2011, including four Australian Research Council projects as the lead investigator, two national prestigious fellowship, and six UQ grants. Dr Zhao has been recognised for scientific excellence with a 2016 UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award. She has built extensive collaborations with scientists at top universities such as Harvard University, Cornell University, etc. She was invited to visit Harvard University as a Fellow of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. She also serves as the Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board member for several journals.

Abstract:

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 8.2 million people died from cancer in 2012, and new cancer diagnoses are expected to increase from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next two decades. Multifunctional nanoparticles hold tremendous promise for cancer diagnosis and treatment, by incorporating targeting, stimuli-responsive release and imaging functions to achieve targeted delivery, controlled release and real-time diagnosis. They have attracted significant interest and undergone an explosive growth over the last decade. However, the majority of nanoparticles have not reached the clinic due to two main barriers: (1) more functionality requires more synthetic steps, resulting in not only difficulty in reproducibly synthesising nanoparticles having consistent properties, but also low yields and high production cost and high probability of failure during synthesis; (2) high complexity means more convoluted behaviour and effects in vivo, difficulties in understanding interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems. To address these fundamental issues, my lab has been focusing on the development of facile one-step or one-pot approaches for producing multifunctional nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. A combinatorial multifunctional liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles have been fabricated with well controlled properties including particle sizes, zeta potential, targeting ligand density, etc., using a robust and reproducible one-step method. Their biological functions were systematically investigated to screen the optimal formulation having the best tumor specificity using in vitro 2D monolayer cell culture and 3D tumor spheroids model in comparison with in vivo experiments. On the other hand, we have also developed in vivo mimicking chips to speed up the evaluation of the library of nanoparticles.

Biography:

Ying Wang is the Associated Professor in cancer research institute at Southern Medical University in China. Her research interest is broadly in biomolecular engineering and nanotechnology and biological mechanism of nanoparticles, with a focus on drug delivery system for cancer therapy, antiangiogenesis therapy, cancer molecular imaging, natural plant nanocarrier. Her research program is currently supported by Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province.

Abstract:

Heterogenous cancer cells possess cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) due to their relative quiescence and ABC-transporter expression. Heterogenous cancer cells can be detected by an Rh123 exclusion assay for identifying Rh123^low population. Several attempts to explore nanoparticles (NPs) based strategies have involved overcoming cancer MDR due to their ability for bypassing MDR drug-efflux pump. Targeted NPs have been shown to have the potential to reverse MDR-mediated drug efflux, indicating active targeted effect and endocytic effect of NPs which correlates with the drug-efflux pump mechanism play a key role in overcoming MDR. In the present study, we fabricated targeted nanoparticles entrapped with Rh123 (Rh123 NPs) to investigate the endocytic effect and targeted effect of these nanoparticles on heterogeneous Rh123^low population.

We found the Rh123^low population stained by Rh123 NPs exhibited similar heterogeneity to that stained by Rh123. In addition, the ABC-transporters of Rh123^low population did not contribute to the uptake of free Rh123 or Rh123 NPs. Interestingly, ABC-transporters in the Rh123^low population stained by Rh123 were possibly responsible for Rh123 efflux, while Rh123 NPs were not susceptible to ABC-transporters in the Rh123^low population. It was explained that the synergistic effect of the targeted NPs was beneficial for Rh123 NPs to avoid the dye-efflux pump in heterogenous cancer cells. Compared with the individual endocytic effect, the targeted effect played more important role for overcoming the drug efflux pump of the ABC-transporter in heterogenous cells.

Biography:

Beatriz P. Nobre has expertise in supercritical fluids, namely on supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from microalgae and vegetable matrices and on micronization of pharmaceutical compounds.. She is a researcher at the Centro de Química Estrutural of Lisbon University and also at the Bioenergy Unit of the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology. She has participated in several national and international research projects in the biotechnology and chemical engineering fields.

Abstract:

Particle size of pharmaceuticals compounds can play a significant role in the amount of the active principle absorbed by the human body and with many compounds it is possible to provide dosages well below the toxicity threshold. Supercritical fluid anti-solvent processes (SAS) were recently proposed as alternative to liquid anti-solvent ones. The SAS process works similarly, but instead of the use of a liquid solvent, in which the compound to be micronized is insoluble, it is used a supercritical fluid. The combination of the high solvent power of supercritical fluids to dissolve the organic solvent and the low solubility of the pharmaceutical compounds in the supercritical fluids makes this technique the most suitable for the precipitation of pharmaceutical compounds. On the other hand, it is possible to recover the supercritical anti-solvent by simple decompression, avoiding complex treatments typical of the liquid process. Supercritical CO2 is the most used antisolvent in SAS processes. In addition to the advantage of replacing toxic solvents, CO2 has also the capability of producing pure particles with special morphologies. Moreover, a wide range of compounds can be processed using this solvent. SAS micronization of pharmaceuticals and bioactives, such as sodium fusidate (figure 1), fusidic acid and astaxanthin, has been carried out in our laboratories. Nano and micro particles with morphology and particle size suitable for its use in pharmaceutic formulations were obtained. The most interesting results of these studies will be discussed, with special focus on the effect of SAS operation parameters in the particle size and particle size distribution.

Biography:

Sandeep Palvai has developed a passion for interdisciplinary approaches towards formulating next generation nanomedicine to treat cancer. After graduating with an M.Sc in organic chemistry, he has joined in Dr. Sudita Basu Lab, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India. During his career as a Ph.D. student he has gained expertise in formulating lipidic and polymeric nanoparticles to co-deliver various anticancer drugs to cancer cells and also evaluating their in-vitro biological activity. One of his research highlights is delivering multiple drugs to kill cancer cells more efficiently by using biocompatible chimeric nanoparticle. He has published thee peer reviewed international publication, one book chapter and also shared authorship in two publications. His enthusiasm helps him to keep connected with people by attending several conferences and workshops. After graduating, Sandeep hopes to expand and pursue his research career in developing nanomedicine with cutting-edge techniques to treat several other diseases including cancer.

Abstract:

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling has been a major target as it is found to be mutated and over expressed in many types of cancers. PI3K inhibition alone by small molecules failed to offer effective therapy since drug resistance has been a major problem. Recent studies reveal that inhibiting singling pathways with simultaneous DNA damage is effective to combat cancer. However, targeting PI3K signaling with small molecules in combination with DNA damaging drugs would be challenging as it leads to severe side effects due to nonspecific interactions in cancer patients. To this end, we have developed a biocompatible, biodegradable cholesterol-based chimeric nanoparticle (CNP), which can simultaneously load PI103, cisplatin and doxorubicin in a controlled ratiometric manner. Size, shape, and morphology of these CNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). CNPs demonstrated increased release of PI103, doxorubicin, and cisplatin through sustainable manner over 120 h at pH = 5.5 compared to neutral pH. The CNPs showed much improved in vitro cytotoxicity in HeLa,

HL60, MCF7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells compared to a free drug cocktail at 24 and 48 h also induced apoptosis. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging revealed that these CNPs were internalized into cells through endocytosis in a time dependent mode over 6 h and retained inside for 48 h in HeLa, MDA-MB-231, and MCF7 cells. These CNPs exhibited their efficacy by damaging DNA and inhibiting Akt as a downstream modulator of PI3K signaling in HeLa cervical cancer cells. To conclude, these CNPs have the potential to open up new directions in next-generation nanomedicine by targeting multiple oncogenic signaling pathways with simultaneous induction of DNA damage for the augmented therapeutic outcome by reducing off-target toxicity and overcoming drug resistance.

Biography:

Chia-Hua Lin has his expertise in nanotoxicology, environmental toxicology and nanobiotechnology. His group consists of multidisciplinary team of researchers including chemist, engineers and cell and molecular biologists. He has established platforms for evaluating toxicity of nanoparticles and environmental pollutants in vivo and in vitro, including characterization, tissue distribution, metabolism, biochemical responses and molecular mechanisms. He has a sub-specialization in developing engineered biomaterials for cancer therapy, and investigating their effect on in vitro and in vivo photo-therapeutic evaluation.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Because of their wide range of unique properties, graphene and grapheme family nanomaterials (GFNs), isolated from their three dimensional parental material graphite, can serve as starting materials for developing innovative therapeutic strategies. In medicine, GFNs have emerged as the most promising seed for various applications, such as drug delivery, anticancer therapy, and biosensing. However, the toxicity and safety of GFNs in the treatment of human diseases should be systematically assessed both in vitro and in vivo. The present study aimed to consecutively assess the immunotoxicity of graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONPs) and reduced GONPs (rGONPs) on THP-1 cells, a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line. GONPs induced the expression of antioxidative enzymes and inflammatory factors, whereas rGONPs had substantially higher cellular uptake rate, higher levels of NF-κB expression. These distinct toxic mechanisms were observed because the two nanomaterials differ in their oxidation state, which imparts different affinities for the cell membrane. Because GONPs have a higher cell membrane affinity and higher impact on membrane proteins compared with rGONPs, macrophages (THP-1a) derived from GONPs treated THP-1cells showed a severer effect on phagocytosis. By consecutive evaluation the effects of GONPs and rGONPs on THP-1 and THP-1a, we demonstrated that their surface oxidation states may cause GFNs to behave differently and cause different immunotoxic effects.

Biography:

Nor Azah Yusof She started working on optical chemical sensor for toxic metal detection. She further developed her expertise on electrochemical based biosensor. She has been working on DNA based biosensor and protein based biosensor. Further information can be obtained from our group website www.upmbiosensor.com. She wish to further develop her electrochemical reader and biochip that she has started working on for 5 years into a prototype and later be commercialized. She is seeking partner to together develop the technology into a suitable kit and further commercialized the diagnostic kit for home use. She also work on molecular imprinted polymer and currently working with some industrial partner to develop sorbent to remove contaminants from water.

Abstract:

Current research in targeted delivery through engineered nanocarries has demonstrated a promising mild stone in achieving specialised and personalised medicine following the exploitation of biomolecules uniquely expressed by cancer cells to conveniently transport therapeutics with improved efficiency and limited systemic toxicity. Here, we report the synthesis of a nanocomposite, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) system following simple wets chemistry method for cancer theranostic applications.

The chemistry involves the loading of an anti-cancer drug (5-Fluororacil) into Mn-ZnS QDs encapsulated chitosan (CS) biopolymer with folic acid (FA) conjugation. The binding of the QDs to FA conjugated CS was confirmed using XPS, FTIR and EDX analysis and the elemental mapping of the drug loaded nanocomposites was characterised using FTIR and DSC analysis. The cytotoxicity analysis performed on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA cell lines) and normal breast cell lines (MCF-10) shows the effectiveness of the sample towards the destruction of cancer cells and its non-toxicity towards normal cells. The mechanistic study by means of flow cytometry revealed that the drug loaded conjugates has high selectivity towards the destruction of cancer cells than bare anti-cancer drug. The results demonstrated that the decoration of FA on the drug loaded conjugates owing to its stronger affinity toward folate receptors largely expressed by cancerous cells enhances the level of drug uptake by the cells and the QDs incorporated into the system allowed selective imaging of the cancer cells under confocal microscopy. The results highlight the suitability of FA-conjugated Mn-ZnS QDs as promising probe for cancer theranostic.

Biography:

R.M. Gamini Rajapakse (B.Sc. Honors, Ph.D., D.I.C, FNASSL) is a Senior Professor in Chemistry attached to the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and is the Coordinator of Nanotechnology Degree Programs. He has diverse research interests in versatile areas of Nanotechnology and is currently supervising 15 Ph.D. students. He has served in many universities in UK, USA and Japan and earned over 100 indexed publications, large number of communications and 15 National Awards for his research. Targeted drug delivery is one of his fascinating research areas where he has trained several students in this area of research and produced indexed publications in reputed international journals.

Abstract:

The pH-sensitive drug delivery systems can achieve targeted drug delivery and systemic control release. The purpose of this research is to synthesize composite formulae comprising of anticancer drugs such as bis(8-hydroxyquinoline), cisplatin, doxorubicin etc. encapsulated in biocompatible and non-toxic porous inorganic nanoparticles, characterize them and to study the drug loading capacities and slow-release kinetics the latter triggered by the pH of the medium. We have successfully synthesized porous nanoparticles of both calcium carbonate, magenesium hydroxide and hydroxyapatite through soft-templated and molecular-templated bottom up approaches and the above anticancer drugs were separately encapsulated in them. Over 30% drug loading capacity and over 80% encapsulation efficiency were obtained for all drugs. The materials synthesized were extensively characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and XRF techniques and the drug encapsulation in porous nanoparticles confirmed. Drug release kinetics was investigated in aqueous media at different pH values and found that favorable slow release kinetics is obtained at slightly acidic pH values typical of those of cancer cells.

There is hardly any release of the drugs at neutral or slightly basic pH values typical of those of blood plasma and healthy cell fluids. As such, advancing pH-sensitive drug delivery systems can make a significant improvement in cancer chemotherapy by reducing both cytotoxicity of drugs to healthy cells and drug dosage requirements while increasing the bioavailability and efficacy of the drugs

Biography:

SO Oluwafemi is a National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa rated researcher at the department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg. His research is in the broad area of nanotechnology and include green synthesis of semiconductor and metal nanomaterials for different applications which include but not limited to biological (Imaging, labeling, therapeutic), optical, environmental and water treatment. He has author and co-author many journal publications, book chapter and books. He is a reviewer for many international journals in the field of nanotechnology and has won many accolades both local and international.

Abstract:

We herein report the antibacterial, cytotoxicity and sensing properties of dextrosed reduced starch-capped silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The synthesis involves the use of water, starch, and dextrose which are environmentally benign       materials as the solvent, stabilizing, and reducing agent respectively while AgNO3 was used as the silver precursor. The reaction was carried out without the use of any accelerator and the antibacterial activities of the Ag-NPs synthesised at different reaction time were investigated. The as-synthesised Ag-NPs  were characterized using  UV-vis   absorption   spectroscopy,  Fourier transform infra-red   spectroscopy  (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and High resolution transmission electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). Antibacterial study show that, all the as-synthesised Ag-NPs show good  antibacterial  activities against E coli and two strains of P. aeruginosa, which are antibiotic sensitive and resistant bacteria. In addition, the Ag-NPs produced at longer reaction time (48 h) showed a better antibacterial efficacy than those synthesised at lower reaction time. The cytotoxicity evaluation on Human THP-1 monocyte cell line indicated that the as-synthesised Ag-NPs are less toxic than AgNO3 at lower concentrations. The as-synthesised Ag-NPs are very sensitive towards hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and show a linear response over a wide concentration range upto 10−10 M H2O2

Biography:

Dr Suhaili Shamsi graduated from the University of Western Australia, Australia with a PhD after completing her Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Biochemistry at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her PhD thesis is entitled “Development and evaluation of curcumin-loaded Pluronic F127 nanoformulation” that focuses on the synthesis of a simple, cost-effective yet stable curcumin nanoformulation that maintained most of the biological activities of curcumin. Dr Suhaili Shamsi is currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her current research interest focuses on incorporating nanotechnology into the development of adjuvant, specifically for chemotherapy purpose, by utilizing the myriad of natural products found locally in Malaysia. Apart from that, Dr Suhaili Shamsi is also interested in studying the mechanism of drug-drug/food interactions through the modulation of protein efflux transporters and cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Curcumin (CUR) is a phenolic compound from turmeric with multiple beneficial pharmacological properties, many of which result from enzyme modulation. CUR is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of enzymes that play a vital role in the metabolism of drugs, carcinogens and toxins. To improve its in vivo solubility, stability and bioavailability, CUR has been formulated into many types of nano-sized formulations. However, it is not known whether the transformation of CUR into nanoformulations would affect its enzyme activities or not. The aim of this study was to compare the cellular response and CYP enzyme inhibitory activities of CUR before and after its encapsulation in a nanocarrier. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A micellar formulation of CUR (NanoCUR) was developed using thin film hydration method with Pluronic F127 as stabilizer. To determine particle integrity after processing, the mean size of NanoCUR was monitored by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Cytotoxicity, anti-cytoproliferative effect and cellular uptake of NanoCUR were evaluated in the human liver HepG2 cell line. The effects of NanoCUR on CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in human recombinant enzyme systems and HepG2 cells were evaluated. Findings: NanoCUR was amenable to lyophilisation, and retained its nano-sized spherical dimensions (17 – 33 nm) upon dilution with HBSS and EMEM. NanoCUR was a weaker cytotoxic agent against the HepG2 cells compared to CUR in solution (sCUR). This was due to a lower cellular uptake of CUR from NanoCUR than from sCUR. NanoCUR was a weaker inhibitor of CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 than sCUR. NanoCUR was, however, 1.76-fold more potent against the CYP3A4 (IC₅₀ 5.13 ± 0.91 µM) metabolic function. Both sCUR and NanoCUR had no effect on the CYP3A4 mRNA levels in the HepG2 cells. Conclusion & significance: NanoCUR possessed the biological activities of CUR, albeit at a lower potency and response rate. The Pluronic F127 micellar structures in NanoCUR may impart synergism to the CUR-mediated inhibition of CYP3A4 metabolic function, which is an important consideration for further development and evaluation of NanoCUR as a potential adjuvant for anti-cancer chemotherapy.

Biography:

Chen Hsu, D. Phil, now is a Professor of Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Editor of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology Open Access, Editorial member of SCIRES Journal of materials, Head of the Semiconductor and Ceramic Material Laboratory, Member of Chinese Material Science Association, Member of ROC Micro Systems and Nanotechnology Association, Member of Chinese National Defense Science and Technology Association, and Member of ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs.  Chen Hsu received his D. Phil. degree from Oxford University in Materials in 1999.  Dr. Chen Hsu and coworkers have done many interesting research works on, such as, biosensing devices for biosensor in vitro…Currently Prof. Chen Hsu’ researches partially focus on biosensors, nanomedicines, and novel drug delivery systems without using superpararmagnetic nanoparticles.... The especial research aims are concentrated on microstructures to applications.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Villous zinc oxalate (ZnC₂O₄) is a kind of phase-refined materials. It can be prepared using various methods such as solid-phase, liquid-phase, or so-gel methods. Zinc acetate (C₄H₆O₄Zn) and oxalic acid are commonly used to prepare ZnC₂O₄. ZnC₂O₄ can be used to preparing by the sol-gel method from zinc oxide and graphene. In reverse, ZnC₂O₄ can be used to prepare as ZnO for cancer therapy. However, the use of ZnC₂O₄ on human body is not clear for the time being. The reason could be this material is belongs to paramagnetic materials and cannot be used on biomedicine along. Villous ZnC₂O₄ was successfully prepared from reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) using a two-precursor sol-gel method, and scanned using a matrix-dotted microbeam laser. Application of the laser caused the synthesized ZnC₂O₄ to melt and resolidify, forming uniformly spread nanovillous protrusions. The characteristics of the microstructures were examined using X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Villous ZnC₂O₄ is open structure and can dissolve in liquid. Moreover, it can be attracted through impurity sites, resulting in oversaturation. There, it can be used on biomedicine applications, such as; it can be a surface coating materials on superparamagnetic nanoparticles as targeted medicine. It can also be used as a targeted substrate for other medicine coating or interstial in there. This targeted goal can be achieved by the novel drug delivery system for non-superparamagnetic nanoparticles and is under developing in our group.  

Biography:

Shashiprabha Dunuweera (B.Sc. Honors) is an emerging scientist pursuing research studies leading to effective and efficient methods to targeted delivery of anticancer drugs in order to suppress the cytotoxicities of the drugs to other cells while increasing their efficacy and decreasing the dosage requirements. Although he is still at the beginning of his research career, through his extraordinary dedication, he has developed expertise in synthesizing safe and efficient drug carriers based on porous nanoparticles for encapsulating anticancer drugs for safe targeting and controlled release of the drug triggered by the acidity of the cancer cells. He has participated actively in a number of international conferences presenting his research findings and educating fellow scientists and has already earned a few journal publications at the age of 26 years. Due to his characteristic kindness to every living being, Shashiprabha has devoted his energy and time towards combatting cancers by developing safer chemotherapy.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Cis-platin is a commonly used anticancer drug which is the first of such platinum-based anticancer drugs developed. The cis configuration enables the binding of the coordination complex to two DNA strands and thereby crosslinking the DNA strands triggering the cells to die in a programmed manner. Cisplatin is administered to patients intravenously as a short-term infusion in normal saline for treatment of solid malignancies. It is used to treat various types of cancers which include sarcomas and some carcinomas such as small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, lymphomas, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, and germ cell tumors. It is found that cisplatin is particularly effective against testicular cancer with a cure rate of 10-85%. However, cisplatin is associated with numerous side effects which include nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, nausea and vomiting, ototoxicity (hearing loss), electrolyte disturbance and haemolytic anemia.

Most of these side effects can be either reduced or overcome if cisplatin could be encapsulated in a suitable host material and directed towards cancer cells targeted manner and allowed to release only in minimum sufficient dose in uniform manner. In order to accomplish these targets, we have prepared hollow nanoparticles of calcium carbonate and encapsulate cisplatin in them and studied their release kinetics in buffered solutions of defined pH values. Since cancerous cells are more acidic (pH range 5.00 – 6.00) compared to normal cells (pH range 7.00 -8.00), and that calcium carbonate is stable in neutral pH media while decompose slowly in low acidic conditions, the choice of calcium carbonate nano-carrier host is highly justified for targeting the encapsulated drug to cancerous cells for slow-release of the drug only in the vicinity of the cancer cells.

Biography:

Abbas Teimouria,Payame Noor University,Iran

Abstract:

Tissue engineering has recently developed a growing field in the regeneration of tissues Biomaterials are required in tissue engineering techniques for the construction of scaffolds by which relevant cells can be attached, grown, and proliferated. Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural polymer produced by a variety of insects. Recently, silk cocoons from Bombyx mori have been used as an in-access material for tissue regeneration purposes [1].

Chitin, which is known to be a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide, is the most abundant polymer on earth after cellulose. It is fabricated from the shells of shrimp and squid pens. It has also been found that the chitin hydrogel could be prepared by using this solvent system. In recent studies, the calcium solvent system has been found to be a suitable solvent to dissolve the chitin in the mild conditions [2].

silica exhibits several properties associated nwith an ideal material for grafting and scaffolding [3]. The nano ranged bioactive silica particles having large surface area canform a tighter interface with the polymer matrix in composites. Nano-bioglass ceramic particles possessing silica as its one of the chief contents not only provide polymer scaffolds with biomineralization

capability but also increase the stiffness of polymer material without greatly decreasing the mechanical strength [4].

In continuation of our previous studies on the construction of composite scaffolds [5-6], In this research, novel porous composite scaffolds consisting of silk, chitin, and MCM-41 were prepared using the freeze-drying method. The prepared nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized by SEM, XRD, BET, TGA and FT-IR techniques. In addition, swelling, degradation and biomineralization capability, cell viability and cell attachment of the composite scaffolds were evaluated.

Biography:

Dr. Muhammad Abid Sheikh is currently working in Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab as Assistant Professor.  

Abstract:

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor deficits which result from the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Gene therapy using growth factors such as VEGF seems to be a viable approach for potential therapeutic treatment of PD. In this study, we utilized a novel non-viral gene carrier designated as PEI-PLL synthesized by our laboratory to deliver VEGF gene to study its effect by using both cell culture as well as animal models of PD. For cell culture experiments, we utilized 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) mediated cell death model of MN9D cells following transfection with either a control plasmid or VEGF expressing plasmid. As compared to control transfected cells,

PEI-PLL mediated VEGF gene delivery to MN9D cells resulted in increased cell viability, increase in the number of Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells and decreased apoptosis following 6-OHDA insult. Next, we studied the therapeutic potential of PEI-PLL mediated VEGF gene delivery in SNPc by using unilateral 6-OHDA Medial forebrain bundle (MFB) lesion model of PD in rats. VEGF administration prevented the loss of motor functions induced by 6-OHDA as determined by behavior analysis. Similarly, VEGF inhibited the 6-OHDA mediated loss of DA neurons in Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta (SNPc) as well as DA nerve fibers in striatum as determined by TH immunostaining. In addition, PEI-PLL mediated VEGF gene delivery also prevented apoptosis and microglial activation in PD rat models. Together, these results clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of PEI-PLL mediated VEGF gene delivery on dopaminergic system in both cell culture and animal models of PD.

Biography:

Developed and evaluated niosomes a kind of nano-vesicular surfactant based drug delivery system for diabetic drug and it was found to be promising and effective drug delivery system. Research paper was published in Journal of Young Pharmacist in 2010. Associated with many projects related to vesicular systems and published few papers in reputed journals. February 2013. Reviewed project for Nano and Advanced materials Institute Limited (NAMI), Hong Kong, under 13^th round of the subject “Development of nano-vesicular delivery systems for use in skincare products.” Won the honorarium of 128 USD. Beside this reviewed more than 20 research papers for various reputed journals like Elsevier, Bentham Science and Pubmed Index Journals. Editorial Board member of various reputed journals like Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Research, International Research Journal of Pharmacy, Advances in Biomedicine and Pharmacy: Biomedicine Journal etc. Assisted graduate students performing projects on various nano vesicular systems like liposomes, niosomes, nano lipid carrier (NLCs). Executed doctoral research activity with students and research scholars. Developed stimuli-sensitive hydrogels and nano vesicular systems for the treatment of Glaucoma. Successfully completed project on NLCs and developed formulation for cosmetic skin care. Various papers were published in reputed impact factor journals. Recently published work in European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics in impact factor 3.976 could be the milestone in the field of cosmetic skin care and nano technology. Mentored post graduate students conducting research projects. Till date 13 projects were completed and 1 Ph.D research project going to commence. More than 37 Publications were accomplished with over 180 citations. Presented research paper in various conferences and seminars. Most recently bagged best oral presentation award in World congress in drug discovery and development 2016, held at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate Carboplatin loaded polymeric magnetic microspheres for specific targeting. Methodology: It was prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method and evaluated with respect to particle size analysis, entrapment efficiency, IR studies, DSC, Swelling kinetics, magnetite content, in vitro magnetic responsiveness in a 0.21 kgauss magnetic field, in vitro drug release studies, in vivo drug targeting studies and stability studies. Results & Discussions: Spherical particles of average 169.3 nm to 285 nm in diameter and incorporation efficiency up to 77.91% were obtained. By chemical analysis, total percentage of Fe2O3 in the microspheres was found between 69 % - 96.68 %. Cumulative percent drug release after 8 hours were 99.31%, 98.89%, 99.47% for F-1 to F-3 MMS and after 24 hours 98.755 %, 98.33 %, 99.93 % was found for F-4-F-6 MMS respectively.

Conclusion: Results of in vitro magnetic responsiveness and in vivo targeting demonstrated that the retention of microspheres in presence of magnetic field was significantly more than those in the absence of the magnetic field. Stability studies showed that maximum drug content was found in the samples stored at 4°C. This study was a satisfactory preliminary attempt in development of magnetically modulated novel parenteral carrier for CPt. However magnetic field strength and gradient, distribution of the magnetite in the microspheres, application time of the magnetic field and in vitro in vivo co- relationship under diseased state are the most likely parameters which need to be optimized for the successful use of this delivery system in localized drug therapy.

Biography:

Manohar Balaraman, currently Chief Scientist & Head at Department of Food Engineering, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India, has about 33 years of experience in the area of food process engineering. He has 72 research publications in peer-reviewed international journals, 50 presentations in national and international conferences, 2 book chapters. His major research interests include supercritical fluid extraction, molecular distillation and biotechnological approaches to extract bio-actives from natural materials. He has visited Korea and China. He is a recipient of UNIDO fellowship during 1991-92. He is a life member of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Association of Food Scientists & Technologists.

Abstract:

The liposomes as bioactive carriers are getting attention worldwide because of its unique stability against severe environmental, chemical changes with improved solubility and increased bioavailability. There are several methods for preparation of liposomes such as thin film evaporation, ultrasonication, high pressure homogenizer, membrane processing and supercritical CO2. Most of the techniques of encapsulation process involve use of harmful solvents and high temperature treatment which directly affects both quality and quantity of nutraceutical components.

The supercritical (SC) CO2 method of liposomes preparation works on the principle of Gas anti−solvent technique (GAS) which is a novel approach to produce nano-liposomes of superior characteristics in a single step. The SC-GAS method of liposomes production is more acceptable because of its favorable mild conditions and its nontoxic nature which would favor encapsulation of thermo sensitive compounds. The major advantages of this process are negligible solvent residue in final product, moderate temperature processing which prevents heat sensitive product from degradation, time saving process which involves only mixing liposome ingredients followed by depressurization, size of vesicles can be tuned with variation in depressurization rates. Many applications of GAS technique for nutraceuticals shall be briefed that include delivery of tea polyphenols in the form of nanoliposomes.

Biography:

Samira Jafari received her master’s degree in analytical chemistry from the University of Tabriz and is currently pursuing her doctorate of chemistry in the analytical area at Imam Khomeini International University.  In addition to her master’s degree, Samira is well travelled in her schooling and as such has acquired a wide range of different chemistry styles.  With this experience, she gleaned and culminated a wide scope of techniques to develop a novel method for targeting various cancers efficiently with relatively low costs as compared to customized patient medicines.  With a generic customized cancer drug delivery system as described in her work, a new field of focus is presented that can make large strides in the fight against breast cancer

Abstract:

Breast cancer is arguably the most common cancer faced by females today and the second most common cause of death in women in the world.  Indeed, this illness has garnered much attention in the field of pharmacology research.  Modern chemotherapeutic anticancer treatments have come a long way in the fight against breast cancer, thus bringing science closer to a cure.  However, the nature of these drugs is to attack both cancerous and non-cancerous cells at the same time.  With this current approach, a patient’s health, in addition to the cancer, can succumb to chemotherapies. To counter this problem, and increase the efficacy of cancer treatment, methods to customize therapeutic anti-cancer drugs have emerged in the form of targeted drug delivery systems.  In our studies, we present a method of a drug delivery using magnetic polyurethane.   Here, we describe a biocompatible magnetic polymer that can be used to direct chemotherapeutic drugs to cancerous regions in a body using an external magnet.  We show how a co precipitation method with magnetic nano-particles (MNPs) followed by a silica coating process and an in situ polymerization yields the magnetic polyurethanes used in this study. Verification of synthesis for the drug carrier is shown using the characterization techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).  The efficiency with drug loading and release of chemotherapeutic medications to the synthesized magnetic polyurethanes is monitored using an HPLC-UV detector.  Our findings present a new biocompatible drug delivery system with a high capacity for loading and directing tow various chemotherapeutic drugs simultaneously to cancer sites with little to no toxicity to the surrounding non-cancerous cells.

Biography:

Agrawal Satish has his expertise in formulation of novel, specially nano-drug delivery systems and their biomedical testing in animal models. He has completed his B.Pharm from Pune University, M.Pharm from BITS Pilani University, and currently pursing PhD from Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India. He has also completed PGDBA (Operations) from Symbiosis centre for Distance Learning, Pune. He has published 9 papers in reputed journals and has strong passion for research in drug delivery systems.
 

Abstract:

Lapatinib (LPT) is an orally administered drug for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. However, there are many drawbacks associated with LPT that limits its therapeutic activity. In order to address the limitations associated with LPT, we have prepared its nanocrystals (LPT-NCs) those were subsequently coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) to produce LPT-HA-NCs. The detailed investigation of LPT-HA-NCs showed the superior anticancer activity than its counterparts LPT-NCs and free LPT. LPT-HA-NCs were associated with increased cytotoxicity and the enhanced uptake in MDA-MB-231 cells due to active targeting to CD44 and EGFR receptors. It was also evident that the LPT-HA-NCs induced apoptosis is due to the Fas and mitochondrial membrane potential dependent pathway. The results of in-vitro studies were followed very well in the in-vivo studies. In the triple negative 4T1 cells induced breast tumor bearing female Balb/C mice; LPT-HA-NCs not only increased the residence time of LPT, but also targeted the tumor, reduced the tumor burden, and increased overall survival. Our findings clearly suggest that HA coated LPT-NCs formulation enhances the activity of LPT against triple negative breast cancer. It exhibited magnificent therapeutic outcome at low dose thus presenting a strategy to reduce dose administrations and minimize dose related toxicity.

Biography:

Dr. Md Abdus Subhan received his PhD from Osaka University, Japan in March 2003. In 2004 he had been a Venture Business Laboratory (VBL) postdoctoral fellow at Materials and Life science, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University for a year. Then he joined Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh as faculty. In 2010 he visited Osaka Kyoiku University, Japan as visiting researcher to study the PL properties of mixed metal nano composite oxides. He had been National Research Foundation (NRF) postdoctoral fellow at Andong National University, South Korea for a year (2010–2011), where he studied novel macrocyclic metal complexes. He had been BK21 postdoctoral fellow at Seoul National University, South Korea for six months (2012–2013). At present he is a Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry at Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. His major research field includes novel metal complexes of materials, medicinal and biological importance as well as structure, spectroscopy, catalysis and photocatalysis, anti-microbial activity of multi-metal nanocomposite oxides.

Abstract:

Novel ligand, 4-(1H-Imidazo [4,5-f] [1,10] Phenanthroline-2-yl)-N,Ndimethyl benzene amine(L) (Scheme) was synthesized from 1,10-Phenantroline. Nano transition metal (Co, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn) complexes of this ligand have been synthesized. Another metal complex of cobalt with (E)-2-styryl-1H-Imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline(L¢) ligand has also been synthesized and characterized. The ligand and the metal complexes were characterized by UV-Visible, FTIR, AFM and Mass spectrometry. AFM study (scheme) showed that the average roughness of the [Co(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Fe(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Ni(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Cu(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Zn(L)₂(Ac)₂] and [Co(L¢)₂(Ac)₂] are 14, 10.9, 5.9, 73, 4.42 and 101.42 respectively. The particle size of the metal complexes [Co(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Fe(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Ni(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Cu(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Zn(L)₂(Ac)₂] and [Co(L¢)₂(Ac)₂] observed are 73.7, 184.6, 145, 222.45, 62 nm and 1.33 μm, respectively,

DNA binding study of the synthesized metal complexes showed that the nano metal complexes are strong DNA binding and cleaving materials. The study of micellar behavior of SDS in presence of metal complexes in aqueous solutions was carried out by measuring the absorbance of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2- naphthol (PAN) at 470 nm. The complexes [Co(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Fe(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Ni(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Cu(L)₂(Ac)₂], [Zn(L)₂(Ac)₂] and [Co(L¢)₂(Ac)₂]   were found to decrease the CMC value of SDS. Negative values for  of SDS are observed for the metal complexes. Negative values of  indicated that the process of micellization is thermodynamically favorable. In this presentation we will also discuss our recent work on trimetallic nanocomposite oxide particles and their medicinal applications.

Biography:

Shahd obtained a BSc in Pharmacology with first class honor from Al-Quds University, Jerusalem in 2009. She then worked as a Rheumatology biopharmaceuticals product specialist at Roche Pharmaceuticals in Palestine and took part in various healthcare projects. She completed an MSc in Biopharmaceuticals with a distinction at King's College London, United Kingdom where she is currently doing her PhD research. Shahd is investigating the use of nanotechnology to develop a smart delivery systems to help overcoming cell barriers for siRNA to aid the treatment of cancer.

Abstract:

Biography:

L. Nandhakumar is a Professor & Head, Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy, Ibrahimpatnam, Hyderabad- 10, and INDIA. Researcher in studying the plant components for the treatment of diabetes in novel Nanotechnology, Also focusing on the antioxidant studies in treating diabetes

Abstract:

Basically flavonoids are naturally occurring phenolic compounds that are distributed in plants. They contain wide range of biological activity and lot of research has been carried out on their potential role in treating diabetes and other diseases. Most importantly the flavonoids and their related natural compounds are known to encompass antidiabetic potential, demonstrated in various animal models. Such beneficial flavonoids are less utilized on account of its deprived solubility, decreased bioavailability; first pass metabolism and intestinal degradation. However, flavonoids are capable of improving, stabilizing and long sustaining the insulin secretion, human islets and pancreatic cell respectively. Methodology & Theoretical orientation: In this article we propose, remarkable antidiabetic activity of flavonoids as well as few approaches on nanoparticulate systems in diabetes induced animal models. The proposed nanoparticulate system of flavonoids is projected to improve the solubility, bioavailability, by passing the first pass metabolism and decreasing susceptibility to intestinal environment as compared to pure flavonoid isolates. Conclusion and Significance: Further, this hypothesis exemplifies to enhance the efficacy of flavonoids in a novel way of antidiabetic treatment.

Biography:

Khalid AbdelRahim interested in antibiotics resistance problems. He is trying to help in overcoming this problem by awareness towards antibiotics usage, new drug by using nanotechnology

Abstract:

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a necessary field of applied science. Biological method for synthesis of AgNPs by Rizobus stonilifer aqueous mycellical extract was used. The AgNPs were identified by UV–visible spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform Infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). Presence of surface plasmon band around 420 nm indicates AgNPs formation . The characteristic  of the of AgNPs within the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure are indicated by the peaks of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern corresponding to (111), (200) and (220) planes. Spherical, mono-dispersed and stable AgNPs with diameter around 9.47 nm were prepared and affirmed by high- resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) shows peaks at 1426 and 1684 cm^-1 that affirm presence of coat covering protein the AgNPs which is known as capping proteins. Parameters optimization showed smallest size of  AgNPs ( 2.86 ± 0.3 nm ) was obtained with 10^−2 M  AgNO₃ at 40 º C.  Present study provides the proof that the molecules within aqueous mycellial extract of R. stonilifer facilitate synthesis of AgNPs and highlight on value-added from R. stonilifer for cost effective. Also, eco-frindely medical and nanotechnology-based industries could also be provided. Size of prepared AgNPs could be controlled by temperature and AgNO₃ concentration. Further studies are required to study effect of more parameters on size and morphology of AgNPs as this will help in control of large scale production of biogenic AgNPs.

Biography:

Neeraj Mishra is working as Professor in Department of Pharmaceutics at ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga (Punjab) since 2012. He has completed his B. Pharm (2000), M. Pharm (2003) and Ph.D.(2011) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H.S. Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.).  He was qualified in National Level Test GATE conducted by IIT, Kanpur in 2001. He is having around fifteen years teaching experience at post graduate and under graduate level. He is also having four years of research experience in Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H.S. Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.). (2006-2010). He is also having one year of industry experience as production chemist in Symbiotec Pvt. Ltd., Indore (2000-2001). He was recipient of ICMR- SRF (New Delhi, India) (Grant: 45/02/2007-BMS/ PHA Dated 0672007H.S.Gour) during his Ph.D. tenure.  

He is having 43 International and 12 National Publication typically in recent concept of novel drug delivery system, particularly in vaccine delivery and drug targeting. He is also written 2 book chapter in national and International publisher (Nova Science Publishers). He is having membership of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (Life Time membership MP/IND/LM/0086) and Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) life membership No. is PU/LM-379.

In Addition to this he is also acts as a reviewer of International repute journal (Journal of Microencapsulation (Informa Pharmaceutical Science). He has successfully organized one AICTE sponsored national seminar on “Emerging trends and applications of nanotechnology” on 11^th June 2011 as Organizing secretary as organizing secretary   in Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy, Indore (M.P.).  He has also presented his research work in National and International conferences.

Abstract:

Present study was aimed to developed enteric coated microsphere of Embelin and their pharmacological potential was investigated in acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis.  The optimized formulation of embelin loaded microspheres has shown significant sustained release of embelin. Further this formulation significantly reduced the ulcer activity score, oxidative stress and attenuates the inflammatory changes. Thus it may be concluded that embelin loaded enteric coated microparticles has shown delayed release capacity than plain Embelin and exerts colon ulcer protective effect in rats. 

Biography:

Lucas Bernardes Naves is currently persuing his Ph.D at the University of Minho, Portugal at the Center for Science and Textile Tecnology. Under supervision of Prof. Luis Almeida He is also doing his research at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he is working at the Center for Nanofiber and Nanotechnology under the supervison of Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna. His research leads to the development of biomaterials for skin tissue engineering, focusing on the treatment of less invasive approach for melanoma skin cancer.

Abstract:

Skin regeneration is a huge issue over the last few decades. As a result of burns, trauma, diabetes and several other diseases, skin grafts are needed, aiming the regeneration of the injured body site. In this paper, we present a new alternative approach, a comparison of linear and branched Polyethylenimine. This research presents the viability and biocompatibility of LPEI  and BPEI  loaded with polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds.

Figure: MTT assay showing the biocompatibility of all the scaffolds with Human Dermal Fibrblast cells.

SEM images show that the scaffolds developed sized between 74± 419 nm. Contact angle assay demonstrated high hydrophobicity for all mats, which could be overcome by surface modification, plasma treatment, helping the hydrophilicity of the mats, providing excellent of the cells adhesion to the surface of the scaffolds. We demonstrate the biocompatibility of the scaffolds developed by electrospinning techniques, followed by in vitro tests with Human Dermal Fibroblast  (HDF), by using   MTT assay to determine the biocompatibility with the cells, and the Sirius red collagen to determine the relies profile after six days of cells incubation. The results have shown that all the scaffolds developed to have good cells adhesion,  cell biocompatibility for HDF, good collagen release profile for all mats, increased release on the day 10. This primary in vitro study suggest that the mats developed may increase in the skin regeneration process, therefore can be an emerging technology for skin regeneration. 

Biography:

Shahd obtained a BSc in Pharmacology with first class honor from Al-Quds UniversityJerusalem in 2009. She then worked as a Rheumatology biopharmaceuticals product specialist at Roche Pharmaceuticals in Palestine and took part in various healthcare projects. She completed an MSc in Biopharmaceuticals with a distinction at King's College London, United Kingdom where she is projects. She completed an MSc in Biopharmaceuticals with a distinction at King's College London, United Kingdom where she is overcoming cell barriers for siRNA to aid the treatment of cancer.

Abstract:

The presence of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in a cell leads to silencing of protein expression, offering the potential of a powerful therapeutic option for treatment of many conventionally intractable diseases. Due to the negative charge and sensitivity against RNase,siRNA has a short half-life in the blood and struggles to penetrate within the target cells. Successful development of siRNA therapies depends on the ability for it to be efficiently delivered inside the target cells efficiently while avoiding enzymatic degradation and aggregation. Methodology: We present the design and optimization of a cationic liposomal/pH responsive cationic peptide based nano-carrier for siRNA delivery. The major used components in the formulation are; DODAG (1 N′,N′-dioctadecyl-N-4,8-diaza-10aminodecanoylglycine amide), a cationic lipid which was designed to be a structural chimera involving the N(1)-cholesteryloxycarbonyl-3-7-diazanonane-1,9-diamine (CDAN) polar head group and the dialkylglycine amide moiety of dioctadecylamido glycylspermine (DOGS) to improve positively charged lipid interaction with siRNA, and LAH4-L1 is a 26-amino acid, histidine rich helical peptide. It is a membrane-active peptide that displays increased affinity toward anionic lipids and possess DNA delivery capabilities. Liposomes (20% DODAG, DOPC/ cholesterol/DSPE-PEG2000)/siRNA, LAH4-L1/siRNA (Figure1) and their combination with siRNA (Figure 2) have been investigated as delivery systems. Their physicochemical characteristics such as size, zeta potential, siRNA retention, release behaviour and aggregation behaviour of formulations were tested. In vitro cell uptake and luciferase knock-down studies were also tested in MDA-MB231 and A549 cells. Complexes were tested in vivo for bio-distribution. Findings: The hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of the particles was characterized. Size was adjusted to be around 130nm and zeta potential was slightly positive. All complexes associated with siRNA have more than 80% complexation efficiency. Lipoplexes showed better encapsulation but were less stable as leakage was observed after co-incubation in serum. Improved cell uptake was seen with ternary complex in comparison with liposomal and Peptide siRNA complexes (siRNA cells uptake was increased from 1.4% to 32.9% in some cases). In vitro studies suggest improvement in gene silencing with ternary complex even when compared with generic positive control. in vivo studies are ongoing to understand the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the particles. Conclusion & Significance: A stable lipid/peptide ternary complex for siRNA delivery with defined physicochemical properties was designed and evaluated and shown to be a promising delivery system for siRNA for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Current and future work is focused, in vitro, on the improvement of cell targeting and in vivo on studying the PK/PD properties of the new system.

Biography:

Mansoureh is PhD research student at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. She has expertise in the development of nano formulation of orthosiphon stamineus ethanolic extract, a poorly water soluble extract with potent anticancer activity. She has used phosphatydilcholine as career which is an essential part of the cell membranes to develop this unique formulation. This agent not only acts as a carrier of water insoluble extract but also nourishes the lipid membranes of the cells. 

Her formulation has the potential to be manufactured in large scale and can be used as a carrier for other therapeutic drugs.

Abstract:

Orthosiphon stamineus (O. stamineus) is a therapeutic herb with significant pharmacological properties. High dose of O.S extract had demonstrated some potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activities. It had weak competency to cross the biological membranes because of consisting of large size of rings in its active compounds and highly water solubility. This study aims to develop and characterize new O.S-phospholipid complex to reveal more antiangiogenic efficacy by incorporating with phosphatidylcholine to form new cell like structure which is amphipathic in nature.

O.S-Phospholipid complex was prepared by the modified film method, and characterized for its physico-chemical properties. Ex-vivo and in-vitro antiangiogenic studies demonstrated efficacy improvement after formulation.   

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size and HPLC analysis confirm the formation of phospholipid complex. Phospholipid complex of O.S solubility increased in active compounds with 89.21±45.44% entrapment. Ex-vivo study showed 50% improvement in antiangiogenic activity at high dose. Inter (n=3) and intra (n=5) lab experiment were used for confirmation.

Thus, this study demonstrated new nano O.S-Phospholipid complex as a promising method to enhance antiangiogenic activity. Moreover, this method can be used as a sustained delivery system for hydrophilic compounds with poor lipid-solubility and low oral bioavailability which improves pharmacological properties.

Biography:

Zheng Ruan, University of Science and Technology of China, China

Abstract:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising clinical modality for the treatment of tumours and non-malignant nidus. A 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-sindacene (BODIPY) core based photosensitizer (PS) has many of the ideal characteristics of a PDT agent, such as a high extinction coefficients, resistance to photobleaching, and high ratios of light–dark toxicity which could also be recognized as dye for bioimaging. However, the BODIPY mentioned above cannot be dispersed in aqueous solution since it is hydrophobic, and therefore needs a BODIPY-carrier so that the PDT agent can be delivered and then released in the areas of tumors to kill cells. And few researchers have combined chemotherapy using DOX with a photosensitizer which shows great lethality to cancer cells like HepG2 and eminent bioimaging ability. Owing to the significant acidic microenvironments of tumour tissues and low pH (∼5.0) inside cancer cells, we have innovatively tried to synthesize hydrazone based pH-sensitive peptide within PEG shells and entrapped by the novel NIR-BODIPY photosensitizer using DOX for anticancer curing (Figure 1a). The integration of chemotherapy and PDT has meet the rising necessity of combination for clinical diagnosis. All the polymeric micelles are of suitable size for the EPR effect and can be easily disassembled in an acidic microenvironment to release the DOX or BODIPY for cancer treatment (Figure 1b). The polypeptide itself shows great biocompatibility to cells, while severe damage to HepG2 cancer cells was caused by micelles with BODIPY and DOX which have also shown well NIR-imaging ability (Figure 1c). All those advantages above mean that dual-agent pH-sensitive polypeptides may be promisingly applied in future medical cures in a combination of PDT and chemotherapy.

Biography:

Akash Arya obtained his B.E. Degree in Electronics and communication engineering, and M.Tech (Nanoscience & Technology) degree from Pondicherry University. Currently, he is a senior Research scholar at Biophotonics Laboratory at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna. His current Research interests are (i) synthesizing different kinds of nanoplasmonic structures using different wet chemistry methods for biosensing and drug delivery applications and (ii) fabricating novel nanoplasmonic-photonic hybrid biosensors and demonstrating the detection and sizing of single protein molecules using the developed biosensors.

Abstract:

Development of drug delivery system (DDS) plays a vital role in the field of biomedicine and healthcare, where maximum therapeutic effect and minimum undesirable side effect is the key of success for ideal DDS. Various methods of DDS using nanoparticles, microspheres and hydrogels are commercially available to treat diverse diseases ranging from cancer to fungal infection and to muscular degeneration. Among nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles demonstrate special advantages in this field due to their unique properties, small size and high surface area-tovolume ratio. These particles have been widely used in various biomedical applications and drug delivery systems due to their inert nature, stability, high dispersity, non-cytotoxicity and biocompatibility.

On the other hand, Researchers have been using the gold nanoparticles for fabricating nanoplasmonic-whispering gallery mode hybrid microresonators [2,3] and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based biosensors [4] for the real-time detection of single protein molecules at their natural state. This detection would be extremely useful for predicting dangerous diseases such as cancers at very early stage. A few years back, gold nanostars are found to be efficient for biosensing, photothermal therapy and drug delivery applications. A few wet chemistry methods existing in the literature for synthesizing the nanostars in one step. However, the yield of the nanostars are found be very low (40-45%). In contrast to this, recently we have successfully synthesized the surfactant-free gold nanostars in one-step, using a novel wet chemistry method [5]. In contrast to the existing reports, these nanostructures have longer and sharper spikes in all directions. From scanning electron microscopic images, the estimated yield of the nanostars was more than 95%. Details of synthesis and characterization of star shaped gold nanostructures, and usefulness of these nanostars in biosensing, photothermal therapy and drug delivery applications would be explained in detail with the help of numerical simulations based on finite element method at Nanodelivery 2017.

Biography:

Julissa González was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After participated in national and international scientific fairs at secondary level she decided to study Chemistry in University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras campus where she obtained a BS degree. Currently she is a Ph.D. candidate in Inorganic Chemistry area and work with surface modification of zirconium phosphate nanoparticles for drug delivery system applications. In addition, she is member of the Caribbean Brigade of the Solar Army during the last five years as part of the Center for Chemical Innovation in Solar Fuels (CCI Solar) an NSF Center for Innovation in Solar Fuels.

Abstract:

Surface modification of doxorubicin anticancer drug (DOX) intercalated zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoparticles (DOX@ZrP) is proposed to improve the potential of this drug delivery system for cancer therapy. The surface of DOX@ZrP nanoparticles was modified with an amorphous layer of Zr(IV) followed by modification with monomethyl-polyethylene glycol-monophosphate (m-PEG-PO₃) to increase the DOX@ZrP biocompatibility. ³¹P{¹H}MAS NMR data shows a new peak at -26 ppm corresponding to the PO₄^3- groups coordinated with Zr(IV) on the surface. m-PEG-PO₃/Zr(IV)/DOX@ZrP spectra shows no additional resonance centered at d of -22.6 ppm generated by proton-phosphorous cross polarization indicating no partial PEG intercalation in the interlaminar space. Simulated body fluid (SBF) was used to determine the in vitro release of DOX from DOX@ZrP, Zr(IV)/DOX@ZrP, and m-PEG-PO₃/ Zr(IV)/DOX@ZrP.  MTS cell viability assay reveal that m-PEG-PO₃/ Zr(IV)/DOX@ZrP exhibited a 20% increase in the toxicity comparing with free DOX when PC3 cells are exposed for 48 h.  m-PEG-PO₃ polymer coating of DOX@ZrP nanoparticles promise to have a strong impact on the targeting, distribution and degradation of the nanoparticles under physiological environment that should result in a more efficient chemotherapy agent than free doxorubicin.

Biography:

Mehran Ghiaci is a professor of chemistry at Isfahan University of Technology (Iran). He received his BS (1973) and MS (1974) in chemistry from Pars College (Iran). He received his PhD degree (1980) in physical organic chemistry from University of California at Los Angeles (USA). His current research interests include physical organic chemistry, heterogeneous catalysts, organic synthesis, surface chemistry, chemical sensing and drug delivery.

Abstract:

Our main goal in presenting this methodology was to modify the conventional systemic delivery of drugs because such procedures may cause toxicity; for example, polymeric coatings may present some disadvantages such as limited chemical stability, local inflammatory reactions and so on. As a result, we thought that it could be interesting to embed bioactive compounds and biomolecules within inorganic coating such as TiO₂, ZrO₂, and SiO₂. This type of coating increases drug passage time through its small and long pores forward intended fluid (whether in vitro or in vivo) and eliminates different stimuli such as (temperature, pH, ultrasonic irradiation,...) to remove the coating on the surface of drug carrier system. This could be very effective economically and time spent. Moreover, if such inorganic coatings have nanostructure properties, they improve cellular adhesion, enhances osteoblast proliferation, and increase biomineralization. In this talk, emphasis is placed on presenting the technique, and would like to explore it as a new methodology in drug delivery.

Biography:

Darya Tsvirkun began her career oriented towards the development and evaluation of PET ¹¹C-tracers for imaging and quantification of myocardial perfusion, receiving the Dean's Excellence Award. Her contemporary research focuses on development and synthesis of new libraries of activity based probes (ABPs) labeled with various CT contrast agents for cysteine proteases for cancer imaging. This project will significantly advance the molecular imaging field that is rapidly developing world-wide by creating dramatically enhanced imaging reagents. Having tools that can allow non-invasive imaging of protease activity in vivo is a powerful research tool. The use of ABPs to investigate biological regulation is an exceptionally powerful method as it enables real time monitoring of enzymatic activity and localization in vivo. Most importantly, CT probes that identify cathepsin activity can be widely applied to image human tumor location and grade, and can also be used to determine therapy efficacy.

Abstract:

In this study, we generated a new classes of cathepsin targeted probes based on different sizes of GNP (10, 30, and 100 nm) for functional CT imaging of cancer. ABPs are small molecules that have been engineered to covalently modify enzyme targets in an activity dependent manner. These novel probes enable detection of the elevated cathepsin activity within cancerous tissue using a CT instrument, thus creating a direct link between imaging signals and biological process.

X-ray CT instruments are among the most available, efficient and cost-effective imaging modalities in hospitals. The field of CT molecular imaging agents is emerging relying mainly on detection of gold and bismuth nanoparticles, iodine and gadolinium labeled compounds. However, the low sensitivity of CT scanners to contrast reagents in comparison to other imaging modalities makes this a challenging task.

We have generated chemical scaffolds of GNP-ABPs with combination of different protective layers of PEG studied in terms of length (3 or 5 kDa) and ratio (10, 50, and 100%). Efficiency of targeting moiety, based on different PEG coatings, was evaluated for tumor accumulation and enzyme inhibition effectiveness. Using a combination of analytical methods as TGA, DLS and ZETA, we estimated the average number of PEG units (~0.21 PEG/ nm²) on one particle, conducting the peptide quantity for each derivative. After chemical and biochemical evaluations we selected the most potent and stable probes to proceed to non-invasive imaging in cancer mice models. CT contrast from the tumor could be detected 5 hours post injection of targeted GNP probes.  This specific signal increased over time and was significant at 24-72 hours post injection, compared to non-targeted particles. Contrast agent concentrations and sub-cellular localization within the tumor cells was detected using TEM. In conclusion, we found our GNP-ABPs as a promising new tools for functional imaging of specific protease activity in-vivo by CT instrument.

Biography:

Yue Hui is currently a PhD candidate from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland. He has an academic background of materials, chemistry and nanotechnology. Yue aims to develop a nanocarrier for drug delivery application based on a biomimetic dual-templating platform technology developed at The University of Queensland. He is now investigating the effect of nanocapsules’ stiffness on their biological performance including cellular uptake and biodistribution.

Abstract:

Over the past decades, advances in nanotechnology have led to the emergence of myriad nanomaterials that are promising for biomedical applications includingn bio-imaging and drug delivery. To better understand and predict the biological performance of these materials, effects of their physicochemical properties (e.g., size, charge and surface chemistry) have been extensively explored, providing valuable rules for the design of next-generation nanomaterials. Another equally important yet often overlooked character, the mechanical property of nanomaterials (e.g., deformability and stiffness), has recently been recognized to influence and even control their biological fates including vascular circulation and cellular uptake, while a better understanding upon this is still lacking. In this study, we synthesized oil-filled silica nanocapsules (SNCs) having variable stiffness and investigated the impact of their stiffness on both non-specific and ligand–receptor mediated cellular uptake. The prepared SNCs had a diameter of approximately 150 nm, a high-efficiency encapsulation (>90%) to the fluorescent dye DiI and good biocompatibility, with their stiffness ranging from highly deformable to rigid. Compared to deformable SNCs, rigid SNCs showed higher uptake in both macrophage and ligand–receptor mediated tumor cell internalization, while no significant difference was observed between their non-specific tumor cell uptake. These results indicate the existence of an optimal stiffness to balance non-specific macrophage clearance with receptor-mediated cellular internalization, which may guide the design of new nanomaterials that link chemistry, mechanics and biology for enhanced nanomedicine.

Biography:

Seongjae Jo studied control and measurement theory at the Department of Control and Instrumentation Engineering at Korea University. Among various subjects, He was interested in sensors and went to graduate school to study nano and biosensors. He is currently studying for the 5th semester of graduate school as a master and doctor Integrated course. He is studying sensing methods using optics such as absorbance, Raman scattering, and fluorescence, and he is also studying the synthesis of gold nanoparticles for optical applications. His study is supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under Grant no. NRF-2015R1A1A1A05027581 and Korea University Future Research Grant.

Abstract:

As the modern technology has developed, the problem to toxicity of nano-scale materials continues to rise, so it has emerged as an important research project to detect the toxic agents. In particular, according to a recent study, small amounts of copper ions increase the growth rate of the tumor, so it is important to detect a low concentration of copper ions.

A conventional method for detecting ions is a use of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) that is expensive and has a hassle things like preprocess of the samples and stabilization of the plasma which is necessary. However, the use of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is one of the techniques using the optics which can easily and quickly detect materials on the substrate in real time. The substrate and chelators, antibodies, aptamers or ligands are conjugated, can bind the desired materials like ions, proteins, even enzymes and genes.

In this study, we made nanoplasmonic substrates using gold nanorods and D-penicillamine (DPA). D-penicillamine (DPA) is easy to conjugate with gold due to thiol group. But it is a chelator of the copper, so the DPA conjugated to the substrate is separated from the substrate and bonded to the copper II ions. Copper ion could be detected up to 100 picomolar (pM) concentration by using the nanoplasmonic substrate. It shows a unique selectivity for copper II ions. And we were able to detect copper in human blood-like environment. Based on this study, not only copper II ions but also other ions can be detected by making the substrate that can be more quickly and easily monitored for ions.

Biography:

Roberto González completed his studies at University of Valparaiso (Chile) at the age of 25 with a thesis on the validation of the process of the fabrication of tablets in a pharmaceutical laboratory. After his studies he started to work at the National Agency of Medicines in Chile for 2 years as Inspector of the validation of the pharmaceutical processes. Subsequently he went to Barcelona to do a post-graduate course called Research, Development and Control of Drugs. Currently he is doing his PhD at University of Barcelona. His PhD project is about the development and characterization of nanostructured systems.

Abstract:

Fluorometholone (FMT) is a drug that is used in ophthalmology for inflammatory and allergic processes. However, commercials formulations have low residence time in the corneal area, obtaining no-effective therapeutic levels. The purpose of this study was to developed poly(lactic-co-glycolic-acid) (PLGA)-nanospheres (NSs) loaded with FMT in order to increase the ocular bioavailability of FMT. The NSs were prepared by the solvent displacement method using poloxamer 188 as surfactant and acetone as organic solvent. To optimize and to investigate the correlation between independents variables (such as the pH of aqueous phase, concentrations of poloxamer 188 and of the FMT) and the dependents variables (average particle size (Zav), polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential (ZP) and encapsulation efficiency (EE)) previously a factorial design was applied. At same time, the Zav of NSs was checked by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were applied to evaluate interaction drug-polymer. Following this, the biopharmaceutical behavior (release in vitro) and the ex vivo ocular permeation of optimized formulation was studied using Franz cells. The interaction studies showed that there is no link formation between the drug and the other components of the nanostructured system. Also, the optimized formulation selected by factorial design showed a good stability which it was measured by Turbiscan^®. The NSs evidenced a slow and prolonged profile release and a better bioavailability than commercials formulations. According to the above described, this developed nanostructured system of prolonged release could be used for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic ophthalmic disorders.

The authors would like to thank CONICYT (National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research) of Chile and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grant (MAT2014-59134R) for financial support.

Biography:

Hamideh Salehi associate professor at university of Montpellier, France is working on the imaging of stem cells and cancer cells in different fields such as drug delivery, regenerative medicine and tissue imaging. She was previously postdoctoral fellow in biomedical engineering at Beckman Laser Institute at University of California Irvine, USA. She did research on lipid imaging in apoptotic cancer cells by coherent Raman spectroscopy CARS/SRS. She did her PhD in Nano biophysics in university of Montpellier 1, France. She has obtained two master degrees, the first in solid state physics- photonics crystal- and the second Mechanical engineering -shape memory polymers - in ENSAM, ParisTech.

Abstract:

Due to the lack of anticancer drug’s specificity, side effects of chemotherapy in cancer treatments are unavoidable and it has an impact on patient quality of life. Over the past 30 years, increasing efforts is done to optimize chemotherapy dosing to reduce drug toxicity while increasing its efficacy. A new study proves stem cells can act as a drug reservoir and they will release anticancer drug in its original form in nearby area of cancer cells. Stem cells, due to their capacity to uptake drug, can control the drug toxicity.Dental Pulp Stem Cells DPSCs are able to uptake Paclitaxel PTX and could release it in the culture medium gradually. The conditioned culture medium (culture medium plus released PTX from DPSC) is transferred to the breast cancer cells MCF7.Visualizing the drug uptake intracellular could provide us mechanism of action of the drug. Applying Confocal Raman Microscopy, anticancer drug uptake by MCF7 is imaged. Surprisingly MCF7 -without any direct contact with PTX- showed drug uptake. It proves the stem cells carry and deliver anticancer drug without its modification. It could be a revolution in chemotherapy to avoid the side effects and increase the drug efficacy.

Biography:

Marcelle Silva de Abreu is currently a PhD student at the University of Barcelona, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences. She has a Master’s degree in Research, Development and Control of the Drugs. Her research is centered in the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the area of nanostructured drug delivery systems.

Abstract:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors. PPAR𝛾 has been shown in numerous studies to affect the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Pioglitazone (PGZ), a PPARγ agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been reported to have responses in different inflammatory processes. The purpose of this study was the association of PGZ to poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs), for the treatment of ocular inflammatory disorders. NPs of PGZ were prepared by solvent displacement technique. Previously, a factorial design was carried out to determine the influence of independents variables studied. Physicochemical characterization,

biopharmaceutical behaviour and interaction drug-polymer studies were done. To evaluate ocular tolerance of the developed formulation, HET CAM and DRAIZE test were performed. In order to analyze the effectiveness of these systems, in vivo studies were executed in rabbits (male/n=6 per group), before and after induction of ocular inflammation by Sodium Arachidonate (SA). Results obtained demonstrated an adequate size of NPs for ocular administration with a sustainable releasing profile. The interaction studies of NPs-PGZ showed that within the formulation the drug remains linked to the polymer. Regarding effectiveness, it was found that these systems decrease the level of inflammation in rabbit eyes with an optimum ocular tolerance. In conclusion, PGZ-NPs showed to be suitable systems to possible treatment of inflammatory ocular diseases. Acknowledgements: Authors would like to thank CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) Brazil and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grant (MAT2014-59134R) for financial support.

Biography:

Dipali Dhoke is pursuing her Ph.D. from Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadokji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, India. She is awarded with a Rajiv Gandhi National fellowship from University Grant Commission for her Ph. D. work. Her Ph.D work focus on development and synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles with a targeting ligand for receptor specific delivery of some antiviral and anticancer drugs which increases the accumulation and retention of nanoparticles in the affected/diseased tissue.

Abstract:

Targeted delivery of a wide variety of payloads can be achieved using nanoparticles formulated using poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)PLGA as a copolymer which has emerged as a most promising nanocarrier. However, PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) have limited types of functional groups available on the surface for conjugation to targeting ligands which is its important drawback. In this study the interfacial activity assisted surface functionalization (IAASF) technique can be used to incorporate reactive functional groups such as maleimide onto the surface of PLGA NPs. This maleimide group can be further linked with lactosaminated Human Serum Albumin (L-HSA) which acts as a ligand and target the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) present in large amounts and with high affinity on hepatocytes. The ligand bound functionalized NPs were formulated by solvent evaporation method and optimized using Central Composite design. The incorporation of maleimide group and HSA was confirmed by FTIR, NMR, SDS-PAGE, in vitro cell uptake study and in vivo biodistribution study. The functionalized NPs were further characterized using dynamic light scattering, TEM, DSC and XRD. The encapsulation efficiency, in-vitro drug release behaviour and in vivo studies of drug-loaded-NPs were studied using ultra violet spectroscopy and HPLC methods. The functionalized NPs showed a burst release at beginning and sustained release until 24 h in physiological conditions. Functionalization of NPs with L-HSA peptide increased the cellular uptake of NPs 2-3-fold, and this enhancement in uptake was substantially reduced in the absence of the ligand. In-vivo biodistribution study suggested the enhanced target ability and accumulation of surface functionalized ligand bound NPs. In conclusion, the IAASF technique enabled the incorporation of reactive maleimide groups on PLGA NPs, which in turn permitted efficient conjugation of biologically active L-HSA peptide to the surface of PLGA NPs. Nucleoside analogs (NAs) like lamivudin when loaded in NPs conjugated with galactosyl terminating peptides selectively enter hepatocytes via the ASGPR and thus reduce the extrahepatic side effects of lamivudin in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis.

Biography:

Seongjae Jo studied control and measurement theory at the Department of Control and Instrumentation Engineering at Korea University. Among various subjects, He was interested in sensors and went to graduate school to study nano and biosensors. He is currently studying for the 5th semester of graduate school as a master and doctor Integrated course. He is studying sensing methods using optics such as absorbance, Raman scattering, and fluorescence, and he is also studying the synthesis of gold nanoparticles for optical applications. His study is supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)

under Grant no.NRF2015R1A1A1A05027581 and Korea University Future Research Grant.

Abstract:

As the modern technology has developed, the problem to toxicity of nano-scale materials continues to rise, so it has emerged as an important research project to detect the toxic agents. In particular, according to a recent study, small amounts of copper ions increase the growth rate of the tumor, so it is important to detect a low concentration of copper ions.

A conventional method for detecting ions is a use of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) that is expensive and has a hassle things like preprocess of the samples and stabilization of the plasma which is necessary. However, the use of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is one of the techniques using the optics which can easily and quickly detect materials on the substrate in real time. The substrate and chelators, antibodies, aptamers or ligands are conjugated, can bind the desired materials like ions, proteins, even enzymes and genes.

In this study, we made nanoplasmonic substrates using gold nanorods and D-penicillamine (DPA). D-penicillamine (DPA) is easy to conjugate with gold due to thiol group. But it is a chelator of the copper, so the DPA conjugated to the substrate is separated from the substrate and bonded to the copper II ions. Copper ion could be detected up to 100 picomolar (pM) concentration by using the nanoplasmonic substrate. It shows a unique selectivity for copper II ions. And we were able to detect copper in human blood-like environment. Based on this study, not only copper II ions but also other ions can be detected by making the substrate that can be more quickly and easily monitored for ions.

Biography:

Agathe Figarol has developed her expertise in nano-bio interactions since her MSc. thesis in Health and the Environment (Cranfield University, UK). Looking at the cellular impact of silica nanomaterials on keratinocytes, she was already starting to combine the different approaches of physical chemistry and biology relying on her technical background in biology engineering (Université de Technologie de Compiègne, France). She further enhanced her pluridisciplinarity along her PhD exploring the impacts on physico-chemical characteristics of carbon nanotubes on macrophages (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de St-Etienne, France). Her confirmed enthusiasm for the dynamic and state-of-the-art field of nanobiology led her, after a year of discovery of the industrial strategy on toxicology, to join a collaborative project on polymeric nanovectors (IPBS and IMRCP laboratories from the Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, France).

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The work presented here suggests a new approach in the critical development of polymeric nanovectors for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer. Whereas hundreds of studies quickly jump forward from formation of self-assemblies to biological application without having a thorough examination of the vector solution, we suggest having a parallel assessment of formation/characterization of the nanovectors and their biological activity. This is possible by first conducting a careful physical chemistry characterization of the vectors by both batch techniques (light and neutron scattering, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy) and Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AsFlFFF) coupled to adequate detectors (refractometry, light scattering). This enables us to fully characterize the vectors regarding purity, size and zeta potential. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Data on both polymeric micelles and polymersomes are presented here, using`poly(ethyleneoxide-b-e-caprolactone), poly(ethyleneoxide-b-D,Llactide) and poly(ethyleneoxide-b-styrene). Self-assemblies exhibiting size range of 20-200 nm are presented and reveal the possible presence of different populations of nanovectors in some cases. Controlled mixtures of different nano-objects are also studied, as well as crosslinked systems. For each new vector, its ability to carry a photosensitizer (Pheophorbide a) for PDT is examined. The activity in PDT either in 2D and 3D cell culture is presented and compared on different batches, in link with the purity analysis. Here again, it becomes highly recommended to develop a critical approach considering in vitro analyses, since different efficiencies are clearly observed depending on the vectors and the 2D or 3D culture type.Conclusion & Significance: This work shows that selected mixtures of different vectors with different morphologies or sizes may lead to synergetic effects. Also, a strong influence of the crosslinking of thevector has been observed and will be presented (Figure 1).

Biography:

Paola Castaldo is the CEO of Fastissues srls and she also is a high school teacher of Applied Mathematics. She earned a PhD in Mathematics for Economic and Financial Applications and a PhD in Technology and Production Engineering. Her skills are the result of  years of experience in simulation, evaluation, teaching and administration  both in research and education institutions.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: As bone tissue engineering is concerned, a scaffold has to provide a suitable mechanical function in order to withstand loads and to transfer the stress to the hosting tissue. Polymer-based based composite scaffolds can be processed through the additive manufacturing approach (e.g. FDM) in order to design custom made scaffolds. The purpose of this study is to analyze the stress distribution into a 3D nanocomposite scaffold according to a compressive  state of stress.

 Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Cylindrical Polycaprolactone/nano-Hydroxyapatite 80/20w scaffolds were biomanufactured through a 3D plotter dispensing machine (Envisiontec GmbH, Gladbeck, Germany) at pressure of 8.5 bar and a temperature of about 120°C. Compression tests were carried out with an INSTRON 5566 at a rate of 1 mm/min. Finite element modelling (FEM) was carried out through the ANSYS software. The representative 3D scaffold design is shown in Figure 1A. The Young’s modulus and the Poisson’s ratio were set at 650MPa and 0.35, respectively. The mesh of a single unit of the cylindrical scaffold consisted of 397113 SOLID186 elements (Figure 1B).

Findings: As the scaffold undergoes a compression load, the compressive stress is mainly transferred through the regions where the plotted fibers cross each other and through part of the round boundary. Moreover, a tensile state of stress is clearly evident on the regions of fibers close to the crossing points (Figure 1C). FEM simulations are in a good agreement with the experimental results as suggested by Figures 1D.

Conclusion & Significance: FEM simulation in conjunction with experimental testing represent a very powerful tool to design custom made scaffolds.

Biography:

Mina Emamzadeh (BSc, MRes) is PhD student in cancer nanomedicine at UCL School of Pharmacy, London. Mina’s research is focused on the development of therapeutic nanoparticle for cancer therapy. In the present project, she develops radically new therapeutic protocols that combine lasers and gold nanoparticles to direct drugs at the diseased sites of the body in a specific manner without damaging healthy tissue. She also has experience in dendrimer-based nanomedicine.

Abstract:

The unique combination of optical and chemical properties of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) renders them an appealing nano-scale platform for cancer therapeutics. In this project we focused on the development of a new generation of theranostic GNPs for cancer treatment by the co-delivery of anti-cancer drugs in concert with confined laser induced photothermal tumor ablation. We anticipate that the combinatorial photo-chemotherapeutic protocol will exhibit significantly higher apoptotic cell rates without damaging the non-irradiated healthy tissue areas.Gold nanoshells (GNSs) were synthesized with the capability to carry and deliver gemcitabine and exert synergistic photo-chemo-therapeutic properties. A protein repellent thiol capped poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate polymer, with molecular weight of 15000 g/mol, was synthesized by radical addition fragmentation (RAFT) polymerization and used as a particle stabilizing polymeric shield. Significant levels of stability enhancement were achieved allowing for the co-functionalization of GNSs with gemcitabine (GEM) for applications in assays and drug carrier systems. GNSs mediated strong photothermal effect owing to their strong surface plasmon absorption in the NIR region. This property was exploited for the controlled release of GEM using NIR light as the external photostimulus to trigger drug release. The drug loaded GNSs exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity against a model pancreatic cell line (MiaPaCa-2) owing to the concerted antitumor activity of GEM with the photothermal effect of the GNSs upon irradiation with the laser.